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THE COMING OF PHILIBERT 



^ 



THE 



Coming of Philibert 



BY 

SARA KING WILEY 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

London: MACMILLAN & CO., Ltd. 

1907 

All Rights Reserved 






LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

APP 26 1907 

•apyrtght Entry 

CUVSS ^ KXc, No, 

COPY B. 



Copyright, 1907 
The Macmillan Company 



Set up. Printed March, 1907 



ROBERT DRUMMOND, PRINTER, NEW YORK 



<^ 

\^ to ttieoDore Hoo0ri3clt 

Not honoured only for far-seeing strength 
And wisdom whence all nations gather good, 
^ But for the man he is: he seems to glow, 

- \ A vivid fire of love that pulses warm, 

^ Enkindling, round about, the running flame. 

^J* I think he would be glad to take the hand, 

^_ And know the heart, and labour in the life. 

Of every soul on earth ; his eager mind 
Enters in every cranny of men's lives. 
And comes to succour and to understand. 



Act III. I. 



THE COMING OF PHILIBERT 

PERSONS REPRESENTED 

Conrad of Hohenstaufen, the King of Artacia. 

Philibert, his twin brother. 

NiccoLO Caraccioli, the chancellor of Artacia. 

Giordano Caraccioli, his elder brother. 

LuiGi OF Ravello, the King's favourite. 

Andrea Solario, a noble gentleman of Artacia. 

Jacopo, a jester. 

Pietro, a peasant boy. 

Clementia, the daughter of Niccolo Caraccioli. 

Renee, the daughter of Giordano and ward of Niccolo. 

LucREZiA, the foster-mother of Philibert. 

Maria, her daughter. 

Nobles and Ladies, Soldiers, Servants, and Children, 

The scene is at first in the palace at Castellamare, the 
capital city oj Artacia; then in the woods near Castel del 
Monte; then again at Castellamare. 



THE COMING OF PHILIBERT 



ACT I 

SCENE I 

The tower room, called the Eagle's Eyrie, in the 
King's palace at Castellamare, 

Conrad and Luigi 

LUIGI 

Your majesty too early quits the dance. 
I fear, dear lord, the coming of 3^our crown 
Hath cast a shadow on that eager brow, 
And greatness hangs above you like a storm, 
Blotting our happy sun. 

CONRAD 

My gentle friend, 
Who knowest all a king may ever tell 
Of his hid heart, thou hast divined aright. 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 



And yet 'tis strange that giving me a crown 
Should move me, when its majesty was mine 
Since I could know myself — a ceremony 
Which gives the symbol of the abiding power; 
'Tis like betrothal of two steadfast hearts 
That long have loved. 

LUIGI 

That too shall be your fate. 

CONRAD 

Luigi, there points my hope. You know my will: 

And fair Clementia must know as well, 

Though I have plucked and held so many flowers, 

That she alone shall ever crown my brows. 

You see, my mind runs back to crowns, and crowns, 

In every simile. Three brief days hence 

I shall assume my crown; forget my crown. 

To wreathe about the idle heavy gold 

The bloom and fragrance of a crown of love. 

That day the world is carpet for my feet. 

And sullen fate shall be obsequious. 

Life, set her brimming goblet to my Hps; 

Never was man so happy. Yet to-night 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

3 

There is a lack of ease about my breath, 
A trembHng of my heart. It is not fear? 

LUIGI 

Great king, fear is your sword. 

CONRAD 

What could there be 
Ever, for me to fear ? My days are joy. 

LUIGI 

Your kingdom worships you. 

CONRAD 

Go hastily 
And bring that lady who shall be my queen, 
dementia. I have a half -hour yet 
Before the chancellor must speak to me 
Of certain weighty matters. [There is a step without. 

Who is there? 

LUIGI 

Only the jester. [He goes out, 

CONRAD 

Jacopo, come in. 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

4 
Jacopo enters, 

JACOPO 

Folly is always messenger of dames, 
For wisdom holds them silent, folly speaks. 
O ladies, ladies, should you seldom speak, 
All men would think you perfect. 

CONRAD 

— And most dull. 

JACOPO 

The lady April hath a tear, or smile, 
To cast upon you. 

CONRAD 

She is welcome, fool. 

JACOPO 

Lady Renee! The thunder doth not roll. 
And Jove hath bowed his curls. 

Renee comes in, pausing near the entrance. 



RENEE 



Stay, Jacopo! 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

5 

« 

CONRAD 

Renee, come here. You need not tremble, child. 

RENEE 

You left the dance. You would not smile at me, 
You dropped my flowers from a careless hand. 
Oh, is your majesty in any grief? 
Or are you ill? 

CONRAD 

Not now in any grief. 
Forgive my ugly and ungallant mien; 
You do? 

RENEE 

O sire, there's nothing to forgive! 

CONRAD 

Nay, but there is; and seal forgiveness — thus. 

[He kisses her. 

JACOPO 

Renee, you will provoke him to more sin. 



The Coming of Philibert Act 1 



CONRAD 

Soon this dark room, like frowning garden walls, 
Shall close about the blossoms of our court. 
Your cousin comes. 

RENEE 

Clement ia comes here? 
Then I must go. You call me April, sire, 
And April must be gone ere June draw nigh. 

JACOPO 

Well, I must shuffle to find out fair May 
And shift her off before proud June is here. 

[Renee and Jacopo go out, 

NiccoLo Caraccioli and Clementia come in, 

CONRAD 

Welcome as summer, bright Clementia! 

This cold and sombre place, my childhood's dread, 

Beams in the benediction of your grace; 

No more a soulless spot, where you have trod; — 

A room redeemed by memories of you. 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 



CLEMENTIA 



This is the Eagle's Eyrie; your great sire 
Toiled at those plans which made Artacia great 
Here, and the place is precious in his sight 
Who loves Artacia. 



CONRAD 

I shall build a roomj 
And you must tell me now your way to build. 

CLEMENTIA 

You cannot build a dwelling in a night. 

Look at this boar's head, see these rusted swords, 

These crumbling maps, this anchor of a ship, 

These piles of manuscript sallow with dust, 

This wounded eagle grasping in his claw 

The tattered flags that gave us victory. 

That scared the uncouth Hun, made haughty Spain 

Retreat across her borders, and gave peace 

To our dear country — Tears have choked my 

speech. 
This is a great man's heart, no builded room. 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 



CONRAD 

Lucia, my dear mother, so men say, 
Made him that king he was ; for all our lives 
Are moulded by such hands as this I hold, 
So small and tender, yet so powerful 
To make a king a god — or man a brute 

CLEMENTIA 

A hero should be stronger than his fate. 

CONRAD 

Yet Hercules sat dumbly spinning wool. 
No man can rise beyond his lady's heart, 
He can aspire to reach her, and no more. 
You women are the promise of our lives. 
Do you not weary of my father's praise, 
Sung like the songs of Homer? 

CLEMENTIA 

No, my lord. 
Such greatness as creates the world anew 
Has the full, constant worship of my heart. 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

9 

CONRAD 

Surely I can be great as well as he. 

CLEMENTIA 

Surely you can, my king, an if you will. 

CONRAD 

Clementia, I will. 

CLEMENTIA 

I must retire; 
I know my father would have speech with you. 

CONRAD 

Yet stay! 

CLEMENTIA 

When most I wish for eloquence 
The blank unwisdom of my tardy speech 
Appals me. I would pray you, from my heart, 
That you forsake forever those dark things 
Which cheat your people of their earnest wish 
To honour and to love you. 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 



10 



CONRAD 

Sweet, good-night. 

[She goes. 
I am attentive to your words, my lord. 
You have foretold this hour; within three days 
You lay aside the task of regency 
So honourably held; and, ere I take 
The crown upon me, I must bear the weight 
Of a strange, fateful secret of my race. 
Midnight is near, the dancers still are gay 
In the great hall below, but in this tower 
'Tis almost quiet, the high throbbing notes 
Of distant music, through an opened door, 
Flutter the plumes of silence stealthily. 
The place and time befit that secret's birth: 
Then speak, my lord. I knew no father's care 
Save yours, and what you shortly shall resign 
You shall receive again. 

NICCOLO 

My honoured king, 
I shall not be so idle as to say 
I do not guess the meaning of your words. 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 



II 



That the most precious guerdon of your choice 
Is given to my sweet daughter, is to me 
Golden reward for years of happy toil. 



CONRAD 

Then let me call you Father, moving on 
In gay anticipation some bright months. 
What is the secret you would have me knov/? 

NICCOLO 

Your mighty father, wisest of us all, 

When treacherous-warring illness gained apace 

On that strong citadel, his princely heart. 

Was wont to say: "The world moves swiftly on, 

While I grow weary of the encumbered race 

And turn me to my rest. I shall not cast 

A net beyond me to entrap the feet 

That come where I no longer hope to tread: 

My son shall not be bound by my dead words. 

For if he meditate upon my life 

He shall discern the banners I upheld. 

And he can bear them forward if he will." 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

12 

CONRAD 

Think you my father would be gratified 
To see the son that now attends his word? 

NICCOLO 

What man, what king was ever worthier 
Than him I joy to serve? Your father's eyes 
Were glad to gaze upon you. 

CONRAD 

It is well. 

NICCOLO 

On that great night when for Artacia 
So much was given and so much was lost, 
When that beloved lady, our dread queen, 
Brought to the birth yourself, our future king, 
And gave us, with that gift, her life as well, — 
Even at that hour a second son was born, 
And lives unknown, unknowing. 

CONRAD 

Lives — still lives? 
Who dared to keep this from me? 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

NICCOLO 

Our great king, 
Manfred, your father, whose high memory- 
Towers above us as the cloud-crowned crest 
Of iEtna soars above the island hills. 

CONRAD 

Where is this prince, and how hath he been reared? 

NICCOLO 

Far in the wooded hills a castle stands, 
Castel del Monte called, a hunting-lodge; 
There hath he dwelt in ignorance of his birth. 
Sire, your wise father told us not his mind; 
It ever was enough to speak his will. 
Giordano and myself, his childhood's friends, 
Stood at his side to go unquestioning 
Down any path his finger pointed out. 
Two others on that night, the leech, the nurse. 
Both long since dead, both faithful to their vows. 
Were all that knew this secret, now your own. 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

14 

CONRAD 

It is a marvel he hath not returned 

To struggle for my throne. Who holds him there? 

NICCOLO 

One whose rapt influence, stern and mystical, 
Might fit him well to rule in some far heaven, 
But only makes him serve on this our earth. 

CONRAD 

You speak in riddles. 

NICCOLO 

Ah, your pardon, sire. 
It is my brother who has charge of him, 
My elder brother, born to be a saint; 
He would have taken orders in his youth, 
But that our father, whom we held in love 
Greater than mere obedience, did forbid. 
Our father's will was mighty, and reached forth 
To shape us to his liking day by day; 
So he, the elder son, was trained to arms, 
And I was set to books, who loved the court 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

• 
And the fine handling of the minds of men. 
He struggles impotently who would turn 
Old grandam Nature from her purposes; 
Her web is made ere ours, of stronger woof. 
My eyes were ever off the lettered scroll 
To glimpse the court, my brother's mighty arms 
Yearned only to sustain a falling foe. 
So, when our father rested on his shield. 
Soon, soon we turned to the fore-destined path; 
Giordano sought the woods to dream and pray, 
And I, ambitious, served a neighbouring prince. 

CONRAD 

And on the night that I was born, you said — ? 

NICCOLO 

The king, your father, called us unto him 
To hear the burden that he had devised: 
I was to guard you here, so ran his word, 
Giordano rear your brother in the woods. 
"Those sweet, fanatic notions of the world 
Can do no harm in one who will not rule 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

i6 

Save over beasts," he said, and laid his arm 
Tenderly on my brother's shoulders broad. 
"Giordano, you will love my little son; 
He will be happier than his brother here, 
Will wear a green oak chaplet for a crown, 
Which will not press his temples hard nor chafe 
His curls to baldness; and, if it should chance 
That Conrad die before he have an heir, 
Artacia can stand a holy king 
As well as any country upon earth. 
Nor take contagion of such malady." 

CONRAD 

None holds, I think, more sacred than myself 

The honour of my father's memory, 

Yet I, reared in this bounteous later day, 

Must surely have a certain eminence 

Of outlook over his; the course of time 

Still upward leads us on the hills of thought, 

And what were done in honesty and right 

In early days, our broader vision sees 

Wrong in relation to that larger world 

Now spread beneath us. Values change with time. 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

17 

NICCOLO 

Sire, your dread father, not as lesser men, 
Saw like the pilot far beyond the ship. 
And steered her by the fixed stars of heaven. 
I cannot think his son — 

CONRAD 

You need not think. 
Friend of my father, keep that early place 
And tread the path your king will show to you. 
It were unfitting to my dignity, 
Unworthy the great heritage I bear. 
Nay, a reproach unto my race, my day, 
If I were bound to look through dead men's eyes. 
I act as master of this nation's good. 
Shall not her king stand forth an honest man. 
King of all honest men, inflexible, 
Who will not wear the chains of other days 
On his young limbs, the chains of elder wrong; 
But shakes them off whenas he takes his crown ? 
Go to that forest castle on this night, 
Bring back my brother from his exile there 
Both undeserved and by me undesired: 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 



I'll right him in the eyes of all the world, 
And set him here, a prince, beside my throne. 
This be my first deed of authority; 
The son shall clear away the father's sin. 

NICCOLO 

No sin! 

CONRAD 

My lord, the king is judge of that. 

NICCOLO 

Your father took a danger from your side 
To save this nation from the chance of war, 
And will you bring the peril back to us ? 

CONRAD 

I think this nation wholly satisfied 
With the one king they have. Is it not so? 
You are not wont to be so slow of speech. 
I fear your age tells on your mind, my lord. 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

19 

NIC COLO 

Dread king, you know I love and honour you; 
And, worshipping, this people stoops to you 
For leave to kiss your dear and royal hand. 

CONRAD 

Well, then, I think my brother may come home 
And I not fear a rival in their love, 
dementia will honour me for this, 
And call me greater than my father was. 

NICCOLO 

sire, I do beseech you, at your knees 
Laying this head in prostrate humbleness, 
Turn yet aside from venturing this path, 
And let your father's wisdom still prevail. 

CONRAD 

Rise, rise, lord chancellor! What act is this, 
Unfitting to your dignity and mine? 

1 think you said my father left the choice 
Within my hands when come to king's estate? 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 



20 



Then question not again your king's command, 
Lest you should sully that clear loyalty 
Which hath enfolded you like this rich robe, 
The sign of your high office. When departs 
Obedience from before the face of kings, 
Honour perforce must follow. Urge me not 
To loss of you before I gain my crown. 
But hasten on your errand. Three days hence 
Let my lost brother stand beside my throne. 



SCENE II 

Morning, The ilex grove near Castel del Monte. 
NiccoLo Caraccioli and Andrea Solario enter, 

ANDREA 

They told me at the castle that their lord, 

Your brother, sir, v/alked forth along these paths. 

Speaking with such still reverence one would use 

In telling of a holy man at beads. 

And "Phihbert" — thus simply spoke the clown — 

Had gone a-hunting in the forest near. 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

21 

NICC0L5 

These ancient gnarled grey trees seem all at prayer, 
With crooked arms uplift: a twinkling light 
Spatters these rugged stones, some Roman cut 
Into dim creeping monsters. 

ANDREA 

See the shrine 
Bright through that aisle, and two carved saints 
at prayer. 

NICC0L5 

I hear a pacing step approach us. Go, 
Await me at the castle. 

ANDREA 

And I hear 
A crash of boughs — some creature — 

PHILIBERT (without) 

Master! Master! 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

22 

NICC0L5 

I shall conceal myself and watch them here; 
Best first to see them with their armour off, 

[Andrea goes out; Niccolo conceals himself. 

Giordano Caraccioli conies in slowly, reading a 
breviary half aloud: Philibert, wreathed with 
vines, enters from the woods; he wears a rough 
garment and carries many blossoming boughs. 

GIORDANO 

Come here, my son; what strange attire is this? 
You look like Bacchus or his worshipper. 

PHILIBERT 

Spring lifted up my eyelids ere the dawn; 
The clamour of exulting little birds 
Shook all the dewy air; the gentle breeze 
Brought perfume to my dreams, of loves unknown. 

GIORDANO 

Speak not so wildly, Phihbert, for love 
Is over all His world, a holy thing. 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

PHILIBERT 

I left my Homer lying in the sun — 

To-day his songs were only scribbled ink. 

Pietro and small Maria soundly slept; 

I passed, I did not want their company. 

There was a mystic lure breathed from the wood; 

The delicate new green was white with dew, 

These vines were gemmed, the birds were carolling; 

How everything was breaking into bloom, 

And every stick and clod astir with life! 

May I not take these rosy-petalled boughs 

Into the chapel before tierce shall ring, 

To wreathe about our Blessed Lady's feet, 

So that the Holy Babe may smile to see 

The coming of the spring He made so fair 

By conquest over sorrow and the grave ? 

GIORDANO 

Go, dearest child, and may He bless thy deed. 
What hast thou, cherished there against thy breast? 

PHILIBERT 

This wounded leveret. Warm and still he lies, 
Panting with pain. He knows I'll care for him. 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

24 

Master, my great wild family to-day 

Came close about me in the mystic dawn; 

A deer pressed his moist nose against my hand, 

Then bounded off. The birds lit on my hair — 

I was like blessed Francis to their love 

That happy moment, so I sang to them 

His songs that told them sweetly about God. 

GIORDANO 

It is my constant marvel, Philibert, 

That you can hurt these creatures that you love, 

And track them out to slay them — 

PHILIBERT 

Speak it not 
To-day, dear master! 

GIORDANO 

But some other day 
You will be eager as destroying fire. 

PHILIBERT 

I cannot tell. I think I have to fight. 
O master, I have something I would say; 



Act I The Coming of Phiiibert 

25 

Long has it pressed and pressed against my lips, 
And now this morning in the Uving woods 
Has brought it unto speech. 

GIORDANO 

I hear, my son. 

PHILIBERT 

Your kind face darkens and grows strange to me; 
It is a wicked thing that I must say. 

GIORDANO 

Can you not pray, and drive away the thought? 

PHILIBERT 

I've prayed for many hours, and it is here: 

Still, still it grows, like spring that bursts in bloom. 

GIORDANO 

Kneel down and tell me all your anxious heart. 

[Giordano scats himself upon a stone 
bench: Philibert lays down his burdens 
carefully and coming to the side of 
Giordano kneels and clasps his hands. 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

26 

PHILIBERT 

Let me go forth! Let me go forth and live! 

It is not hfe, not Hfe, within this wood! 

I want to see great towns ciimb on the blue, 

To walk through narrow, sounding streets, and watch 

The crowds that push and shout on holy-days; 

Hear clamorous bells call, dancing to and fro. 

And hear the trumpets ringing down the lists. 

And then the trampling steeds, and crash of spears, 

The exultant din; to see great armies march. 

With banners snapping and bright flashing steel. 

In ordered rank supremely moving on. 

That cry, to shake the vault, "God and the king! 

[He springs to his feet, 
God and Artacia!" Ah, I cannot kneel! 
There let me live, and there, oh, let me die, 
Bold in their front against some hardy foe. 
Give me a man to fight, more strong than I! 
Give me an arm shall beat against my arm 
And strike it down until I win its power! 
A brain more keen to match against my brain! 
I'll win a friend to shelter with my breast; 
I'll learn to sing the lays of troubadours; 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

27 

And I must see a woman ere I die, 

A young sweet woman, with bright lengths of hair, 

And gentle laughing lips, and clear deep eyes, 

Soft arms I'll catch and kiss, and swift small hands! 

She beckons me in dreams; and through the night 

I hear the calls of warriors, and the neigh 

Of marching horses, and the ring of spears. 

You lived. 

GIORDANO 

I did not love that shallow life: 

PHILIBERT 

Let me despise it then, but let me first 
Adventure for myself! 

GIORDANO 

The Unhappy One 
By snare of young desire hath tempted you. 
This poison you would drink will cloud your eyes; 
How clear you see the world your God hath made 
To love it now — 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

28 

PHILIBERT 

I'd see the wider world 
And love it too, and serve it as His knight! 

GIORDANO 

Kneel here and hold your peace. This was a sin. 
Before your votive candle fast and pray, 
Where in the quiet church a single light 
Proclaims the Presence that shall make you safe. 

PHILIBERT 

This radiant day, shut in! 

GIORDANO 

You disobey? 
Is my command no longer dear to you? 

PHILIBERT 

Forever dear, my master: frown not so! 
I shall go straightway in, to strive for grace, 
And use your discipline! Forgive me now. 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

29 

GIORDANO 

Depart, and cleanse your spirit of this sin. 

[Philibert goes out. 

NiccoLo comes from among the frees. 

NICCOLO 

Giordano! 

GIORDANO 

Brother, are you come at last? 
Draw close, and let me feel that you are here, 
Nor mar my happiness by word or thought. 

NICCOLO 

And do you care? 

GIORDANO 

Capacity to love, 
A feeble plant, waxes to mighty bloom 
In God's strong sunshine. 

NICCOLO 

No, you have not changed! 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

GIORDANO 

How fares my daughter? 

NICCOL6 

Merry every day: 
The child of her French mother — not yourself. 

GIORDANO 

Your daughter? 

NICCOLO 

Why, — the wantonness of fate — 
I often think my daughter is like you. 
Sit on this carven bench and let us talk; 
What pleasure to speak openly once more! 
I am beset with cautions at the court. 
Giordano, now I know what I have lost 
In losing your frank eyes through all these years, 

GIORDANO 

There must be many honest at the court. 
First, tell me of the king, what man he is. 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

NICCOLO 

A sun, in whose bright orbit all do move, 
Whom to admire is turning to the light. 
To follow is to tread a gracious path ; 
Learning and courtesy are ministers 
To crown his beaming brow. 

GIORDANO 

Enough, enough! 
I trust you do not tell the youth such words. 

NICCOLO 

Incessantly, my brother. 

GIORDANO 

Thou hast said 
Only, his clothes are good, his body trained. 
I asked what man he is — put me not off. 

NICCOLO 

Giordano, I have served the king so long 
I scarcely think of him as merely man. 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

32 

GIORDANO 

Served him? You trained him from his babyhood, 
Watching his growth with pitiless, keen eyes. 
Come, brother — 

NICCOLO 

Nay, I have a duty first. 
I come to take your jewel from the mine. 
The king hath summoned Philibert to him. 

GIORDANO 

He shall not go. King Manfred gave him me. 

NICCOLO 

But Conrad doth command his presence now, 
And it is treason to refuse. 

GIORDANO 

That boy? 
Surely he will respect his father's wish. 
I will persuade the king to leave him here. 

NICCOLO 

You guide me to the subject whence I turned. 
This king is hke a ship whose helm is gone, 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

33 

That drives adrift, impelled by wanton winds; 
His graces and his virtues he assumes 
Only because he finds they are admired; 
He hath not in him one sound root of good, 
Of steady virtue, severed from the hope 
Of gaining praise. He studies every eye, 
And loves to paint his portrait on men's minds 
In noble strokes and colours luminous; 
Displaying first a splendour, then a grace — 
To watch men dazzle, I have seen him stand, 
Gazing Narcissus-like within his glass. 
Drinking his beauty like a draught of wine. 
He has been fed on praise until the meat 
Has formed his body and his mind and soul. 

GIORDANO 

You stand and say this, and you have no shame, 
You, that have made this horror? 

NICC0L5 

Nay, not so. 
You cannot judge of my necessity. 
I could not cross the king, he was my lord, 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

34 

Tyrannical from birth; I had to live, 
And make him love me. 

GIORDANO 

Now, you bid me cast 
Before the swinish court my single pearl. 

NICC0L5 

This poor caged bird shall try his little wings 
And take no hurt. The king will laugh at him 
And favour him; his meek and awkward port 
Shall heighten Conrad's magnanimity. 
But jests aside, Giordano, he must go, 
And on the instant. Send for him, I beg. 

GIORDANO 

I will not have him go. 

NICC0L5 

Be ruled by me. 
The king will send his soldiers, swift as fire, 
To cast us into prison, forget us there 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

35 

And bear the lad away, to wreak on him 
His wrath; in anger he is pitiless. 

GIORDANO 

{Calling) Pietro, Pietro! 

PIETRO 

(Entering) 

I am with you, sir I 

GIORDANO 

What hast thou done to my poor lemon trees? 

PIETRO 

Master, I set them on the terrace there 
Only till midday, while the sun is warm. 

GIORDANO 

It is too chill, and thou must bear them in. 
Go seek for Philibert within the church 
And bid him hither on the instant. 

[Pietro goes out. 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

NICC0L5 

No, 

Young Conrad is not like your gentle lad. 
He seems ten years the elder. 

GIORDANO 

Is he fair? 

NICC0L5 

Bright-haired are both, even as their fathers were, 
And much alike, save that on Conrad's brow 
Are set the lines of passion and wild days. 

GIORDANO 

Is he a warrior? 

Philibert approaches, 

NICCOLO 

No; alas for us! 
His only conquests are in Cupid's wars. 

GIORDANO 

Silence! Come here, my child. Be not amazed. 
Salute my younger brother, Niccol5 ; 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

37 

He is from court and has a word for you. 
Pluck not my gown, and do not tremble so. 

PHILIBERT 

You have forgiven me? 

GIORDANO 

Beloved boy, 
I fear you have been harsh unto yourself, 
I should have gone with you. Your face is pale. 
You are forgiven indeed; what must I say? 
I am too old to bear distressful days, 
I never knew how old until this hour. 
Nay, but I will not leave you with him yet. 
Speak on. 

NICC0L5 

I am a friendly oracle, 
To tell you everything that you would know. 

PHILIBERT 

My swarming questions block the doors of speech. 
Of course, I want to know about myself: 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

My master here has taught me everything, 
I think, that's wise and great, but of myself 
Only that I am weak and ignorant. 
Which I had known too well before he spoke. 
My parentage, my race, oh, quickly speak! 
My ears are waiting, hungry, for your words! 

GIORDANO 

I would not have you feed this foolish lad 
With poison-fruit, if I might have my way. 

NICCOLO 

Well, Philibert, you come of a great race. 

GIORDANO 

Aye, feed his vanity! 

NICC0L5 

Prithee, give o'er. 
I shall not stint the truth, but say my say. 
What hath been told you of your parentage? 

PHILIBERT 

I know my mother was of this sweet land 
That turns a glowing cheek unto the sun, 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

39 

So I was taught the golden Latin lore; 

My father was of Teuton race, of those 

Strong, bright-haired Northerners who came to snatch 

Artacia from surrounding enemies 

And make her great. My father was most wise; 

He had a power where I have but a fault: 

My mother was a radiance from heaven; 

She did not give to me her gentleness, 

Nor her unfailing gracious courtesy. 

I sometimes marvel that I am no more 

When they were both so wonderful; 'tis strange! 

My master said he told me all the truth 

That could advance the welfare of my soul, 

But answered not the question I had asked. 

I mean — alas? I speak confusedly — 

I did not ask about my father's soul. 

Which is in heaven, but of his earthly state. 

Which is important to his son on earth. 

GIORDANO 

Boy, was it nothing, then, to your light mind 
To know how wise and great a sire you had? 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

40 

PHILIBERT 

Indeed, it gave me royal pride of heart. 

NICCOLO 

His is a royal soul that thus can speak, 
And worthy offspring of a royal sire. 

PHILIBERT 

What do you say? 

NICCOL6 
Your father was a king. 

PHILIBERT 

A king! 

GIORDANO 

Forget not, earthly state is mean 
In heaven's sight. 

PHILIBERT 

And is my father dead? 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

41 
GIORDANO 

You are not king— nor ever will be king. 

PHILIBERT 

Not king! I thought you said my father was — 

GIORDANO 

Say not the word with such a fiery look. 
Have you no thought of your great father's will 
That sent you here to keep you from the path 
Which now, alas ! another bids you tread ? 
My poor weak lad, whose eyes are dazzled now 
With the thin, tinsel glitter of a crown, 
You are not king — your brother is the king. 

PHILIBERT 

My brother — -richer joy than any crown! 
I have a brother and I have a king: 
A brother I can love, a king to serve. 
Would God the gift of me were worthier! 
I'll love him as no brother yet was loved, 
And serve him as no king was ever served. 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

42 

NICC0L5 

You will be very lonely at the court. 

Andrea comes in, and with him, weeping, Pietro, 
Maria, and Lucrezia. 

PHILIBERT 

Why do you kneel, dear friends? And do not weep, 
Dear foster-mother; Philibert is here. 

LUCREZIA 

I shall not see you more! They've taken you, 
And they will set you in their armies soon; 
You will be killed, among them, at the court. 

MARIA 

Oh, we have lost you! Who will care for us? 

PHILIBERT 

Am I not here, and shall I not return? 

MARIA 

Dread lord — 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

PHILIBERT 

(To Niccol6) She speaks to you — 

NICC0L6 

Your highness, no. 

MARIA 

You will despise us when you come again. 

PHILIBERT 

I think you all stark mad. Why, silly child, 
Have two words changed the heart you know so 
well? 

NICCOL6 

Who is this girl? 

PHILIBERT 

My little sister, sir. 



MARIA 



But you will not be here to do my work 
When it is heavy. Who will lift the clothes, 
And bring me fagots, and chase off the dogs, 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

44 

And wash the Hnen on the bitter days 
When my poor fingers ache? 

PHILIBERT 

(To NiccoLo) Is it too far 
For me to come again to wash her clothes 
When all the fount is ice? 

NICC0L6 

I fear it is. 

MARIA 

Take yotir poor Pietro with you, noble lord; 
See how he weeps and dares not speak to you. 

PHILIBERT 

{To Andrea) She speaks to you, kind sir. 

ANDREA 

Your highness, no. 

PHILIBERT 

Maria, if my master will permit. 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

45 

MARIA 

Philibert, he is not master now! 

PHILIBERT 

Be still; he is. My master all my life; 
Both yours and mine. Sister, you anger me! 
There, there, you are a child! I'll bring to you 
Red bows and silver pins. Pietro, get on{ 

GIORDANO 

Since you are summoned to the wretched world, 
Be such that all who meet you shall thank God. 

PHILIBERT 

1 will, dear master; you shall yet rejoice 
That I went forth to serve my country now 
In the new vigour of my youthful strength. 
Armed with the precious wisdom of your age 

And your most dear example. {To NiccoLo) As we 

go, 
You'll tell me, sir, about my brother's court. 
I must not shame him; I'll be diligent 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

To learn their customs. My dear brother soon 

Can teach me everything that I must do. 

I'll lead his armies out against the foe, 

And lay new laurels on his gold-crowned brow, 

And bring new nations humbled to his throne, 

Till he shall say, "In all Artacia, 

My brother is the servant that serves best. 

Because he loves to serve." And some fair day 

When he shall wed the lady of his love 

She'll call me Brother too, and turn to me 

To help her in a thousand little ways 

He has not time to find, till they shall say, 

" Our brother is the pillar of our house.'' 

NICC0L5 

This dream will vanish in the vulgar day. 

PHILIBERT 

Will you not bless me, master? 

GIORDANO 

May the Lord, 
Thy shepherd, lead thee in the paths of hght! 



Act I The Coming of Philibert 

47 

Thou art a weakling lamb cast among wolves; 

May He defend thee, lest they feed on thee. 

Here shouldst thou still have dwelt in sober peace, 

Rich in a holy life. Son of my prayers, 

My pitiful dim age leaned on thine arm, 

Thy full heart warm against this chilling breast: 

Now am I left alone. 

PHILIBERT 

I shall return 
Soon, soon, and cherish you even until death. 

GIORDANO 

Be thou like leaven set within the meal, 
Working the slow and utter change therein, 
Till the unwholesome dough is bread of life, 
To give this nation strength. 

PHILIBERT 

God be my power! 

GIORDANO 

Go forth, and may the love whereby you live 
Kindle in every breast responsive flame j 



The Coming of Philibert Act I 

48 

Remember how it is a thing divine; 
Abound in pity and in tenderness, 
Spending yourself to serve the need of all. 

[He moves away, 

PHILIBERT 

Dear master — 

GIORDANO 

Go. You seek for happiness. 

PHILIBERT 

I seek for love, which he that seeks shall find. 

[Philibert goes with Nicco- 
l5, Andrea, and Pietro. 



ACT II 



SCENE I 



The throne-room. The King, just crowned, stands 
before the thro7te, with the Chancellor beside him. The 
nobles and ladies of Artacia fill the hall below, Cle- 
MENTiA, Renee, Jacopo, Luigi, towards the front. 

CONRAD 

(Ending his speech) Therefore this hand out- 
stretched in sovereignty 
Bestows a gift, this prince I give to you; 
My people of Artacia, love him well. 

Andrea enters with Philibert, who wears still his 
rough garments; Philibert, amazed, drawn forward 
by Andrea. 

ANDREA 

Yonder your brother stands. Approach, dear sir. 

[Philibert falls upon his knees on 
the lowest step of the throne. 

49 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

so 

CONRAD 

Thrice welcome to my house and to my heart. 
Hail, Philibert! Artacia welcomes you. 

[Philibert raises his eyes and seeing his 
brother'' s arms outstretched he goes up and 
casts himself into them: then, urged by 
Conrad, he turns, and faces the people. 

Nobles and people of Artacia, 

Behold the gift I render unto you. [A cheer, 

OLD NOBLEMAN 

How like his honoured father is this prince! 

ANOTHER NOBLEMAN 

Prince Philibert is taller by a span, * 

And broader, than the king, and larger-limbed. 

ANDREA 

The king looks small and withered at his side. 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

SI 

CONRAD 

(Looking at Philibert) Step down a pace, my 

brother, for the king 
Alone must stand above. 

PHILIBERT 

Your pardon, sire. 
[He steps down several degrees, 

CLEMENTIA 

Look you, the king frowns on the lad! 

ANDREA 

Yea, true. 

[Conrad takes his brother^ s arm; they go down to- 
gether and cross the room. Philibert's feet 
become entangled in the train of a lady's dress. 

CONRAD 

They always trip us by some frippery! 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

PHILIBERT 

(Kneeling) Brother, I've trod upon a lady's gown: 
I've torn the lace! 

LADY 

Arise, I pray you, sir! 

PHILIBERT 

Her eyes are like a deer's, so soft and sad. 
Be comforted, for I can mend this lace. 

CONRAD 

Philibert, rise; a prince should never kneel, 
Save to the king, and princes do not sew. 

PHILIBERT 

But see, the lady laughs behind her fan; 
She has forgiven me. And you, you smile; 
Then I may stay? 

CONRAD 

Why, whither should you go? 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

53 

PHILIBERT 

To read my prayers; I have, I know, done wrong. 

JACOPO 

Some here would weary heaven with their prayers 
If every tumbled gown were so excused. 

PHILIBERT 

Then I am not more careless than the rest. 

JACOPO 

Oh, yes, my lord; you do it openly. 

CONRAD 

Peace, Jacopo! He searches you with eyes 
That like a star upon a muddy pool 
Find no reflection. Honour to the child. 
Old Horace said. 

PHILIBERT 

You think I am a child; 
That lady thought I was a boorish lad; 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

54 

These garments are so poor. Your brother, sire, 
Must have a better robe. 

CONRAD 

Ah, PhiHbert, 
Courtier already ! You shall have the best, 
As many gaudy clothes as you desire. 

PHILIBERT 

As many as I wish? An hundred, then. 
Three hundred! One, quite new, for every day! 
I should not sleep for thinking all the night 
If next day's cloak should be a red, a blue, 
A gold, an ermine! And a golden chain; 
Oh, brother, and a sword! 

CONRAD 

Gently, my boy! 
Your voice is like a trumpet; see men stare. 

PHILIBERT 

Alas, I am so rude! 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

55 

CONRAD 

Withdraw a space 
To this embrasure. Certain of our friends 
Come hither also; we will talk aside. 

LuiGi comes forward. 

Here, Philibert, look on this gentleman; 
He is my closest friend and counsellor. 

PHILIBERT 

Dear sir, I love you for my brother's sake. 

\He hesitates, scanning LuiGi's face. 
You are but young to be a counsellor. 

LUIGI 

I hide much wisdom in an idle look. 

PHILIBERT 

Then I beseech you of your gentleness 

To give me something from that precious store. 

I know the virtue of an aged man 

Who lives engirt by forests; I would know 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

56 

The broader virtue of the world of men. 
You are the sword the king holds at his side, 
His love hath set you with a thousand gems. 
Will you accept my service? He is dumb; 
He will not care for me. He turns aside; 
His body bows, but, see, his eyes are cold. 

JACOPO 

His eyes are twisted, looking at his nose; 
His nose is out of joint. 

CONRAD 

Peace, Jacopo! 

PHILIBERT 

His nose is straight. What does the jester mean? 

[He turns and questions Jacopo. 

LUIGI 

{Aside to the king) They are well met, I think, that 
there converse. 

CONRAD 

Luigi ! 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

57 

LUIGI 

My sweetest lord, be harsh with me, 
If you but turn your eyes upon my face, 
That have not looked at me this weary hour, 
The while you let your jester mock at me. 

CONRAD 

Take out the fool and let him smart for this! 

[Jacopo is dragged away. 
Fear not, dear Luigi; none on earth shaU be 
Betwixt thy king and thee. 

LUIGI 

The sun is out; 
The heavy clouds have burst and rolled away. 

PHILIBERT 

What are they doing to the wretched fool? 

ANDREA 

Naught you can hinder. 

PHILIBERT 

Nay, but I will try. 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

ANDREA 

Pause, noble sir; you do the fool no good 
And hurt yourself. 

PHILIBERT 

Myself? I do not care. 

ANDREA 

Be ruled by me. You do not know the court; 
Believe me, Jacopo will suffer more 
If you do speak. 

PHILIBERT 

That fellow by the king 
Who hangs and fawns on him, shall pay for this. 
He flouts me; that's not much, but this is more: 
I see him fool my brother. Mark my hand, 
I'll make him suffer more than Jacopo! 

ANDREA 

O joyous sight! May I be there! 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

59 

PHILIBERT 

You shall. 
(He advances to the king) Pardon, dear brother, I 

am all amaze; 
My brain is crammed with surfeit of bright sounds 
And all melodious visions; thus, I rave. 
I am like one born blind, whose eyes flash wide, 
Awakened sudden to a teeming earth; 
Or one born deaf, whose ever-sealed ears 
Open to concert of alternate choirs. 

CLEMENTIA 

If it shall please the prince — 

PHILIBERT 

Prince! There again, 
Wonder of wonders! And you say the word, 
First of all beings. I am prince indeed 
If prince to you! 

RENEE 

How if you're prince to me? 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

60 

PHILIBERT 

Brother, what are these beauties at your side, 
Who teach mine ej^es they never saw till now 
What radiance was to see? 

CONRAD 

The prince speaks well: 
This is the daughter of our chancellor, 
Clemen tia, whose sweet mercy over us 
Shines as the sun, without which none could live: — 
Her cousin, Renee, queen of witchery. 

PHILIBERT 

(To Renee) You are like maiden Proserpine, whose 

love 
Drew rugged Dis from the dim realms of death; 
Her at whose airy footstep flowers sprang, 
Goddess of spring, of warm and beaming skies. 
Light winds and happy brooks; but (to Clementia) 

you, fair dame. 
Are queen of the wide heaven. 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

6i 



RENEE 



I am content. 
Clementia may be a heavenly queen, 
So I be ruler of the hearts of men. 

CONRAD 

Brother, they teach true wisdom in the woods: 
I had not thought the beasts so courteous. 
Or bird and bee so full of dainty words. 

PHILIBERT 

I learned these things from the old chronicles, 
And ancient songs of wandering troubadours: 
Now I shall copy you and learn apace. 

CONRAD 

Well said, and so thou shalt, and wilt do well. 

PHILIBERT 

{To Clementia) But, madam, we speak all before 

our time. 
You turned and called me Prince, but said not yet 
What wished you of this prince whose life is yours. 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

62 

CLEMENTIA 

(Taking his hand) Only I was about to lead you here, 
Where, turning from the bright and noisy room 
And all these moving forms, your wearied eyes 
Might rest upon the space of sky and sea. 

[She draws back the curtain, and they 
look forth upon the moonlit sea. 
What have I done? The colour leaves your cheek; 
Your eyes are brimmed, your lips are quivering. 

PHILIBERT 

The sea! The sea! 

CLEMENTIA 

You saw it not till now? 
Can you not speak? 

PHILIBERT 

Praise God, who made the sea! 
Hark, how the undertone sounds on and on, 
And all the lesser rush and call of it 
Breaks with the foam upon the walls below. 
Look where it melts into unfathomed night, 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

And there a wide light, like a path to heaven, 
Runs shimmering below the silver moon. 
Here is the world I knew in solemn dreams; 
That is the cry of armies on the air, 
The roar and struggle of impetuous life, 
And underneath, the never-ceasing tone 
Of the deep passion of the heart of man. 
Above, the watchful heaven holds on high 
Its bright and certain lights to guide our way. 
My heart goes voyaging across the waste : 
Surely I loved this thing through all my days. 
What are the hillsides to this glorious change, 
This restless beauty, that feeds all the soul 
And lifts it up like wine? Give me your hand; 
Certain I do not dream, for you are here, 
A queen of dreams, and yet — a living hand! 

CONRAD 

{Aside to Renee) My rosebud of Artacia, how the 

eyes 
Of my poor brother dwelt upon your face! 
Catch now this wild bird with your gentle lure, 
And let us watch his struggles to be free. 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

RENEE 

(To Philibert) The king commands, sir, that 
you walk with me. 

PHILIBERT 

My brother sends me into Paradise 

Without the pain of death. Where shall I go? 

CLEMENTIA 

{Aside to Andrea) My father will not ever speak 

his mind; 
What think you of this creature of the woods? 

ANDREA 

That I shall give my life to follow him. 

CLEMENTIA 

You do amaze me. 

ANDREA 

'Tis a fairy prince, 
Nourished on wisdom in the solitudes. 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

6S 

The days that I have passed with him are all 
I count of life well spent. 

RENEE 

[To Philibert) It is not hard. 
I'll be your teacher in these idle things. 

PHILIBERT 

I shall obey you in all joyfulness. 

CLEMENTIA 

(Aside to Andrea) He is beset by peril. See them 

there, 
Lord Luigi and my cousin and the king. 

ANDREA 

He hath one friend. 

CLEMENTIA 

Andrea, he hath two. 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

66 

SCENE II 

Morning in the great garden of the palace. Two 
lords conversing; J acopo comes in walking on his hands, 

FIRST NOBLEMAN 

Why do you this, Jacopo? 

JACOPO 

'Tis the style. 
The world is upside down ; this soon will be 
The manner of our progress; I'll be first. 

SECOND NOBLEMAN 

What mean you, fool? 

JACOPO 

Know you, there's one at court 
Who will not crook himself to wealth or power, 
Who's careless of the strong, and tends the weak? 

FIRST NOBLEMAN 

I hear Prince Philibert makes many foes. 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

67 

SECOND NOBLEMAN 

What would you have? He lacks discretion; 

Incontinently, too, he speaks the truth. 

He's gentle, even tender, to this fool. 

Who hates him, thinking it some curious mock. 

He boldly chid a nobleman for oaths; 

He held a beggar child the guard had pushed. 

FIRST NOBLEMAN 

The king, you say, doth love him more and more? 

SECOND NOBLEMAN 

Ah, yes; his majesty's benignity 

Shines as he rescues and reproves the prince, 

Who doth adore him. 

FIRST NOBLEMAN 

Soon the king will tire; 
The circling train of folly fills the heart 
Where wisdom and where valour never come. 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

68 

The King enters with Philibert, Luigi, and 
noblemen, 

CONRAD 

Brother, we must discuss this serious case. 

(To Luigi) He says he has no time to think and 

pray. 
(To Philibert) Now, you declare that I am very 

wise. 
And yet, you see, I live thus happily. 
No man that has a mind should ever think; 
Let him but act — your thinkers only dream. 

philibert 

Dear brother, your swift mind so subtly works, 

No doubt you think and act at once, but thus 

You do mislead and puzzle slower folk. 

I heard a man say only yesterday, 

*'If once the king would pause and think a space. 

He would not let his nobles cheat the poor." 

CONRAD 

Brother, you overpass your privilege! 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

-69 

Such words are treason to repeat or hear; 
Who spoke them? 



I answered him. 



PHILIBERT 

I shall not betray him, sire. 

CONRAD 

And prithee, how? 



PHILIBERT 

I said: 
** You have mistaken much our honoured king* 
He guards the people's welfare as his own. 
And if his nobles cheat, be very sure 
He only waits to crush them utterly." 

[There is a stir among the nobles about the King. 

JACOPO 

My lords, I have a present for the prince, 
And a good offer, too, of livelihood. 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

70 « 

CONRAD 

Speak to him, fool. 

JACOPO 

Here, take my bauble, sir; 
I know my betters and give place to them. 
You are a nonpareil; I yield you room. 

CONRAD 

Sirrah, this goes too far! 

PHILIBERT 

Thanks, Jacopo; 
I think you far the wittier of us two. 
I'm but the natural fool, the country-bred; 
I could not please these people at the court. 
Take back your bauble, and this golden ring; 
And be the merrier that I am here 
To share your duties. 

CONRAD 

You are over-kind: 
A whip would be the better way to speak. 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

I think you do not know an insult, boy, 
When you receive it. 

PHILIBERT 

From that feeble thing? 
Poor soul, my heart has only pity there! 
Here come the children peeping through the trees; 
I promised them a song. 

CONRAD 

Let us proceed. 
[The King and his train go out. 

JACOPO 

I'll give you wisdom for your golden ring: 
Hasten to seek your shelter in the woods 
Before some gallant spits you like a goose, 
And my lord Luigi turns you at the fire. 

PHILIBERT 

Peace, peace, poor fool! what have I done to thee? 

JACOPO 

Nothing to me; therefore I gird at you. 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

72 

A wise man would have struck me long ago. 

[He goes out. 

The children run forward, pull Philibert down 
upon a marble bench, and clamber over him. 

CHILDREN 

Come, Philibert, you promised us a song. 

FIRST CHILD 

Let me sit nearest. 

SECOND CHILD 

He has pushed me off; 
I was here first. 

PHILIBERT 

Let every one sit next, — 
All over me, and Nino in my arms. 

FIRST CHILD 

Now sing the song you said you made for spring. 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

73 

PHILIBERT 

(Sings) My nose is pressed against the pane 
To watch the grass grow green. 
The little leaves are bright with rain, 

The sun glints in between. 
Hoha! Hoha! The spring comes in, 
The sun and rain their strife begin. 

The mud is deep along the path 
Where folk are plodding slow, 

The teamster strikes his horse in wrath, 
That pulls and strains to go. 

Hoha! Hoha! The spring comes in, 

The sun and rain their strife begin. 

My lady dries her shining hair. 
Bleaches her fair white gown; 

The spattering drops fall everywhere. 
Ah me, how dark her frown! 

Hoha! Hoha! The spring comes in, 

The sun and rain their strife begin. 

Join all hands round and dance the chorus through! 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

74 

ALL 

Hoha! Hohal The spring comes in. 
The sun and rain their strife begin, 

PHILIBERT 

Scamper away; I see the ladies come. 

\The children run off. 

Clementia and Renee come forward, 

A CHILD 

Nino shall stay with you. He will not go. 

PHILIBERT 

Nino must be a field-mouse, very quiet. 
(To the ladies) The spring's in bloom: the green- 
wood summons us! 
I rose before the swallows had popped out 
From their round holes along the old white wall; 
I ran in the sweet valley, where new green 
Tips every bush, and red anemones 
And purple violets blink in the young grass. 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

75 

CLEMENTIA 

Sing to us, prince; we heard you singing here. 

PHILIBERT 

This is a song I made some few days since, 
Meseems a hfe ago, a world away: 
I wandered in the woods from dawn till eve, 
From amber dawn till the pale moon arose, 
And twice I wept because I had no love. 

(Sings) The world sings loud of love in May, 
And scarlet through the sunny noon 
The silken poppies bend and sway. 
Red still beneath the moon. 

The nightingale of love doth sing, 
Trembling aspires his rapid strain, 

Till, through the climbing echoes, ring 
Three cries of clear disdain. 

Of passion, and the pain thereof, 
Helpless I sing in my distress. 

That have a heart made all for love, 
And dwell in loneliness. 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

76 

RENEE 

This is too sad. I choose the children's song. 

PHILIBERT 

{To Renee) No, 'tis a dance. Come, lady, come 

and dance! 
Dance like the maenads to their jangling brass, 
When Bacchus halts his leopards in delight. 
And to the wild brooks foaming on the rocks 
They match the music of their laughing cries. 

clementia 
You do not ask me, prince, to dance with you? 

PHILIBERT 

Madam, you are no maenad of the woods j 
No sunset crimson flaming through the trees 
Can light your madness, for the silver moon 
Rather shall call you queen. 

CLEMENTIA 

I am too grave. 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

77 

PHILIBERT 

It cannot be that you are angry ? 

CLEMENTIA 

No. 

Will you not dance? 

PHILIBERT 

My feet have lost their wings. 

CLEMENTIA 

See, then, I'll smile. It is a well-known word 
I am too grave for dancing. Cousin, go. 

RENEE 

She plays at being queen before her time: 
Not queen of heaven neither — 

CLEMENTIA 

Pray you, cease. 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

78 

RENEE 

We'll leave her to her dreams, my happy faun. 
Haha, haha, how long you wear your curls, 
Just fit for pulling! 

PHILIBERT 

Not so long as yours I 



Dance, dance! 



RENEE 
PHILIBERT 

Well, sing it then; this is the air: 



Hoha! Hoha! The spring comes in; 
The sun and rain their strife begin. 

[They dance, pelting each other with 
flowers and shaking the hushes. 



RENEE 



It snows a rosy snow, the snow of spring! 

Your feet are lead; you cannot catch me, prince. 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

79 

PHILIBERT 

I will, though, soon. [He chases her. 

RENEE 

Hold, Philibert! The king! 

Conrad enters; Philibert runs up to him, laughing, 
and casts his arms about him. 

philibert 
We pulled your flowers; may we have some more? 

CONRAD 

You did not ask permission for the first. 
I think you take the blossoms you desire, 
And ask no leave at all from man or maid. 
How's that, fair mistress? 

RENEE 

No, sire, if you please: 
All in this garden is the king's alone; 
If he withholds, naught ever shall be given. 

CONRAD 

Blossoms, or hearts, or kisses? 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

80 

RENEE 

All, the king's. 

CONRAD 

What loyal gardens ! 

PHILIBERT 

What a royal lord 
That gives his own, unasked! 

CONRAD 

Not all his own. 
(To Clementia) Dear lady, do not scorn these 

foolish folk; 
Their brains and heels alike are light as air. 

clementia 
I only envy them. 

CONRAD 

Ah, no, not so: 
From your white throne you smile and let them pass. 

[He takes a place beside her. 
Brother, come here and sit against my knee. 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

8i 

And is it possible thy age and mine 

In any wise approach? Look at these curls, 

Wet with his racing; they're a school-boy's locks. 

Look at his eyes; they are a baby's eyes. 

Look at his mouth. Sweet Renee! Well, that smiles; 

I think it has been fed! 

PHILIBERT 

You're wrong there, sire. 

CONRAD 

Have patience, brother; little maids are coy. 

[Clementia and Renee wander down a path. 
Now, Philibert, let's speak more seriously: 
I hear, you talk with soldiers in the camp; 
You must remember that you are their prince. 

PHILIBERT 

I only am a man with other men. 

Is a prince more but by a hoop of gold. 

Gay clothes, and certain moneys, and a word? 

A man's the thing God made most like Himself. 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

82 

CONRAD 

You will bring danger to us by such words. 

PHILIBERT 

That poet whose dear head rests by our shores 
In everlasting sleep, sang of a day 
When fear should leave this world, the happy child 
Gambol unharmed with tigers. I shall pray 
Unceasingly, " O Love, thy kingdom come!" 

CONRAD 

Philibert, you grow tedious as a clerk. 

[He goes out. 

PiETRO enters, capering, 

PIETRO 

Well, Philibert, no forest more for mef 

I wish Maria saw me in these clothes; 

Her hands would never dare to reach my ears. 

There's a girl here, says I am honester 

Than any man at court; she's pretty, too. 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

83 

PHILIBERT 

Go to, she's fooling you. 

PIETRO 

Look to yourself, 
For lady Renee makes a fool of you! 

PHILIBERT 

(Cuffing him) Your clothes will never keep me 

from your ears! 
Get in, young malapert! 

PIETRO 

(Mocking ) I spoke the truth . 
[He goes. 

PHILIBERT 

Poor Nino is asleep on the hard ground. 

\He takes the child in his arms and seats himself upon 
the bench; he falls asleep. Renee and Clementia 
return through the garden, followed by J acopo, unseen. 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

84 

CLEMENTIA 

Lo, here Endymion lies. 

RENEE 

And Cynthia comes. 

CLEMENTIA 

How sound he sleeps! His lips are like a child's. 

[She draws away, as Renee tries to restrain 
her, and kisses Philibert on the cheek. 

RENEE 

You call me bold — but never yet so bold! 

CLEMENTIA 

Hush, cousin ! He had no pa)mient for his song. 

RENEE 

And took this gift unknowing. 

CLEMENTIA 

Soft — away! 

[They hurry out. 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

LuiGi and the King enter. 

LUIGI 

Dear lord, your brother never will be man 
Until he loves and drinks hke other men. 
Let's have a banquet, and beguile him there, 
Set him beside Renee, and fill his cup: 
'Twould be rare sport to see this priestly boy 
Go mad with love. Let me seek out a wine. 

CONRAD 

He should know more of hfe, Luigi, 'tis true: 
It would be wiser he should see and learn 
Here, where my hand can guide him, than afar. 

LUIGI 

Oh, what a heart beats in your breast, my lord; 
What wisdom circles you! 

CONRAD 

We'U teach the lad. 

[Conrad goes. 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

86 
Jacopo comes forward. 

LUIGI 

There's many crooked things are worth much gold, 
And crooked keys unlock our doors. Come here. 
What went this way just now? 

JACOPO 

The spring, that fades, 
The sun, declined past noonday, and the king. 

LUIGI 

If you are wise, you will be friends with me; 
Our cause is one. 

JACOPO 

My cause indeed is one; 
I serve myself. 

LUIGI 

And so does every man. 
Look at this sapling thrusting from its path 
The weaker growths: so shall I thrust aside 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

87 

All creatures else; the king shall be mine own, 
And thou canst warm thy wits beside my hearth. 
Or shiver in the cold outside my door. 
This boy's too simple for thy jests or mine; 
Lady Clementia sorts not with us. 
Some plants cannot survive within one plot, 
Each for the other poisons earth and airj 
So are these twain to us. 

JACOPO 

Lady Renee? 

LUIGI 

She stands with us; they are her death as well, 

JACOPO 

Lady Clementia was here but now, 
And lovingly she kissed the prince. 

LUIGI 

Here's gold. 
Tell none of this, and I will root them out 
From Conrad's heart, to flourish there alone. 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

88 

How still he lies! What if we slew him now, 
And dragged the corse down to the sea? 

JACOPO 

No, no! 
'Twould be discovered! 

LUIGI 

Let him sleep awhile; 
Soon shall he sleep indeed, nor ever wake. 

[They go out, leaving Philibert asleep. 

SCENE III 

Evening. A corridor adjoining the banquet-hall of 
the palace. 

Giordano Caraccioli enters, and from the other 
side Andrea. 

GIORDANO 

An instant, sir. Are you the lord Andrea 
Who to Castel del Monte lately came 
To seek Prince Philibert? 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

89 

ANDREA 

And you, sir, are 
His guardian of the woods. 



How doth the lad? 



GIORDANO 

I pray you, sir, 

ANDREA 

Just now he dines within. 

GIORDANO 

You put me off and do not speak your thought; 
I see your eyes askance, your manner grave. 

ANDREA 

You are his friend. I fear for him to-night. 
Enter and watch. They ply him fast with wine, 
And at his side Renee, who loves the king, 
Set on by him to tease and pet the prince, 
Twines roses in his hair, kisses his cup. 
Leans on his shoulder, laughs into his eyes, 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

90 

And does a thousand nameless, subtle things, 
The while his brow grows flushed, his accents wild. 
Go in, go in, and see. What can I do? 

Renee enters, followed by Philibert. 

RENEE 

Nay, let me pass, my lord; enough, enough! 

PHILIBERT 

I am no tiger, Chloe, most sweet fawn! 
There! there! One kiss, you tempted me; one more. 
Nay, do not struggle so; you hurt your arms. 
These soft sweet arms! Come, loveliest, away! 

RENEE 

Prince Phihbert! O Conrad, he is mad! 
Help, for his eyes are wild! 

GIORDANO 

Prince Philibert! 
Loose her: this is my daughter that you hold! 



Act 


II 






The Coming of Philibert 


Oh, 


help 


• 
me, 


sirs! 


91 

RENEE 
PHILIBERT 

My master! Here? 


Why here? 



GIORDANO 



Child, you are safe and in your father's arms. 
Take her, Andrea; for I have some words 
Yet for this gentleman. 



RENEE 



Back to my rooms! 

[She goes out with Andrea. 

GIORDANO 

Now break, my heart! O eyes that saw this sight, 

Be blind forever, weep yourselves away! 

My pearl, that I did cast before these swine. 

Which they have broken in their trampled mire. 

Fouled, shattered, and destroyed by their cleft feet, 

That trample now on my old life as well, 

And their tusks rend my heart! Oh, hadst thou died! 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

92 

Would that my hands had crushed out life in thee 
Ere thou hadst soiled thy soul! 

PHILIBERT 

Is there no hope? 
No mercy for me now? 

GIORDANO 

Come home with me, 
And spend thy life in penitence and prayer. 

PHILIBERT 

I cannot go. I — do not — wish — to go. 

GIORDANO 

The castle of my dreams is sunk to earth, 
And lava streams have flowed across its walls. 

[He goes out. 

Clementia enters from the banquet-hall. 

CLEMENTIA 

Kneel not! You should lie prone, and thrust your 

face 
Deep in the dust! Was it no harm to me 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

93 

To take the sparkle from my risen sun, 

And freshness from the dawn, and joy from earth? 

I saw you, and I thought one man divine. 

My world is overhung because of you, 

And life is horrible because of you: 

Never again shall I be merry — no — 

Nor eager any more. I trusted you: 

You, you, of all men living, did I trust. 

I have seen baseness and abhorred things. 

And yet I hoped for better, until now. [She goes out. 

Jacopo enters, 

JACOPO 

You never take a shoal, but jump mid-sea: 
Why must you drown, a-learning how to swim? 

PHILIBERT 

All hail, and welcome in the nick of time! 
By folly came I here, by folly go. 
Hold here my sword, till I shall cast myself 
Up to the hilt upon it. Grasp it firm; 
I shall not miss like poor Mark Antony. 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

94 
JACOPO 

Oh, let me go, an you be merciful. 

I shall be killed; they'll say I murdered you! 

Lord, how you stare and shout! 

PHILIBERT 

Look at this arm, 
You puny thing — no creature but would think 
You did as I had bid you. Take the sword; 
Here's gold — have courage but an instant. 

[He forces Jacopo to hold the sword. 

JACOPO 

Help! 
Andrea, lord Andrea! 

ANDREA 

(Entering) Well, what now? 

horror! Philibert! My lord! My friend! 

PHILIBERT 

Nay, if thou be my friend, help me to die. 

1 am dishonoured, and I cannot live. 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

95 

ANDREA 

Kill, then, Luigi, rather, and not yourself, 
Not your poor body maddened by his arts: 
You do not know that wine. Ah, dear my prince, 
Be comforted. I'll slay him presently. 

The King enters with Luigi and nobles. 

PHILIBERT 

My brother, — fallen thus prostrate at your feet, 

I beg you to forgive me that I still 

Call you my brother, — I, too vile a thing 

To call myself a man, — oh, let me die! 

This brace of fools have balked me of my will, 

But you, my brother, you will let me die! 

CONRAD 

Why, child, why, Philibert! Look up, dear lad! 
Luigi, 'twas basely done, 'twas foully done! 
Thou hast been injured, brother. Come aside; 
Lean on my heart; poor lad, beloved boy! 
See how he weeps as he would tear his breast! 
I swear to thee, who am thy king and lord, 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

96 

Thou hast done nothing ill: a little wine, 
What's that ? A pretty face; all men are so! 
Take heart! Luigi has had a jest of thee! 

PHILIBERT 

Ah, so ? Then where's my sword ? 

JACOPO 

Here — luck to both! 

ANDREA 

I am the better fencer, Phihbert; 
Pray you, let me — 

PHILIBERT 

(To Luigi) Come out, vile spawn of helL 
Take up your sword, or I will drag your heart 
Forth from your breast to show how foul it is. 
Leave the king's bosom, viper, till I cast 
You prone upon your belly in the dust. 
Where you shall crawl for men to stamp upon! 

CONRAD 

Some poison works a madness in his veins! 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

97 

PHILIBERT 

Needs there a buffeting to make you fight? 

LUIGI 

Sire, he has said he sought his death, and now 
What comes is not my fault. 

CONRAD 

Brother, forbear! 

PHILIBERT 

Forbid me not, for I will fight this man. 

ANDREA 

He is more skillful — Philibert — 

PHILIBERT 

Stand back. 
My nerves are iron; you need not fear for me. 

[They fight: LuiGi fences the more skill- 
fully, hut Philibert heats down his guard. 

LUIGI 

He strikes me down: his arm's a blacksmith's arm. 
Save me! He'll have my life! He does not fence! 



The Coming of Philibert Act II 

98 

PHILIBERT 

Not when I beat a cur. 

CONRAD 

Brother, enough! 
[Philibert does not heed him. 
Seize on the prince; for certain, he is mad. 

[Several nobles start forward, hut 
hesitate to approach Philibert. 

PHILIBERT 

Who comes, shall step within his open grave. 

CONRAD 

Your brother doth entreat, your king command, 
That you will spare his friend. 

PHILIBERT 

O Conrad, Conrad! 
You beg your hurt; this thing is poisonous 
And should not live beside you. Let him go, 
Since you must have it so. Snake, crawl away, 
And meditate the means to sting again. 



Act II The Coming of Philibert 

99 

Clementia and Renee enter. 

RENEE 

You are too bitter. 

CLEMENTIA 

Then it was thy fault. 

RENEE 

What have I done? 

CLEMENTIA 

His heart is clean, to thine. 
It is a pity such a futile thing 
As thou hast power to harm him; a wee stone, 
Treacherous, slipping, underneath his heel. 

ANDREA 

{To Clementia) Lady, the prince is mad with 

grief and shame, 
And would have cast away his life but now. 

clementia 
(To Philibert) There is another baptism than 

salt tears 
That can wash clear thy soul; another way 



The Coming of Philibert Act n 

loo .: 

\ 
Than the slow path of solitary prayer. V 

Lose thy life where the loss is all men's gain; 
Give it to serve thy country at her need. 
Behold Artacia, a stag at bay, 
Beset by yelping hounds, that snap and spring, — 
The Frank, the Spaniard, and the Saracen, 
German, and Greek. Take up your sword and go! 

PHILIBERT 

You give me life again. Conrad, I'll go! 

CONRAD 

None here will question whether you can fight — 
Surely 'twere safer if you slew our foes. 
Take my command and go, dear Philibert, 
And on your eagles may bright Fortune beam!. 

ANDREA 

I'll go with thee, and shield thy life with mine. 



ACT III 



SCENE T 



The great garden of the palace. It is afternoon, as 
the scene proceeds it draws toward sunset, and at length 
the moon rises. A sound of bells is heard from the city, 
and then the shouting of a multitude, 

Andrea and a nobleman talking in the garden. 

ANDREA 

Hark, where the white bell-tower above the square 
Speaks with the tongue King Manfred gave to it! 
And now a great shout shudders on the air, 
Flying thus far, like the echo of a storm. 

FIRST NOBLEMAN 

Prince Philibert passes that way, to church, 

To hear the masses for his victories. 

And all men clamour till they shake the walls. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 



I02 



ANDREA 

He's not admired alone for bloody fields 
Where his wide-gathered armies, sundering 
The embattled host, rode like a tide at flood; 
Not honoured only for far-seeing strength 
And wisdom whence all nations gather good, 
But for the man he is: he seems to glow, 
A vivid fire of love that pulses warm, 
Enkindling, round about, the running flame. 

FIRST NOBLEMAN 

I think he would be glad to take the hand, 
And know the heart, and labour in the life, 
Of every soul on earth; his eager mind 
Enters in every cranny of men's lives. 
And comes to succour and to understand. 

ANDREA 

We sail on Wednesday for the eastern shore; 
The prince is strangely restless to depart. 

FIRST NOBLEMAN 

Why should that idle barrier of chance 
Withhold us now from caUing him our king? 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

103 

ANDREA 

'Tis boldly said. Give me your hand on it. 

An hour hence the Artacian nobles meet, 

All worthy of that honourable name, 

Here, to put off the hated servitude 

To Conrad, and hail Philibert their king. 

They come to conference now; pause yet a space. 

Enter Niccolo Caraccioli and other nobles, 

SECOND NOBLEMAN 

Enough of injuries, enough of wrongs, 

Enough of the slow malady we bear, 

Like ailing children of enfeebled minds 

That cannot rise and strive against their woes: 

Lovely Artacia, like a fertile field, 

Wasted in drouth, — parched, faded, and forlorn, 

Until these victories, a plenteous rain. 

Beckoned again the green and living spring. 

THIRD NOBLEMAN 

We are resolved, and Philibert must reign; 
Whenas he comes from church we'll meet him here. 
Lord Caraccioli, we await your word. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

104 

NICCOLO 

Wait still, my lords; pluck not green fruit in May. 
From me, as yet, is silence; we must wait; 
Silence to you, and silence to the king. 
Fear not, nor hope. 

ANDREA 

We shall not wait for you. 

[They go out conversing. 

Clementia and Renee enter, 

CLEMENTIA 

How softly evening comes across the sea; 

The circle of the trembling, azure bay 

Holds yet the light, though here beneath the trees 

The scented gloom grows cool. The olives blow 

In misty silver; now the wind is here, 

And all the branches lift. Across the waves, 

See where the breeze has stroked them, like a hand 

Roughening smooth shining fleece. 



RENEE 



The wind is chill. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

105 

CLEMENTIA 

The sweet air soothes my thought; some radiant 

thing 
Seems drawing near across that gilded sea, 
Born of the night, and love. Dear heart, go in, 
And let me dream, that have not leave to live. 

RENEE 

I have not hope enough to dream. 

CLEMENTIA 

Yet stay: 
Tell me, sweet cousin, must it ever be 
That women should not think, nor will, nor act, 
But sit and see their happiness go by. 
And perish so without the thing they choose? 

RENEE 

Clemen tia, I have no clever words; 
I only know I suffer: that is all. 

CLEMENTIA 

Should we not ever go to meet our fate? 
Can love be thus obedient and thus tame? 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

1 06 

How could one love, who waited thus on time? 
I cannot think but it is worthier 
To start from the still place where maidens stand 
Down-drooped hke flowers, to turn, and seize the gift 
From the lax hand of the uncaring fates. 

RENEE 

WeU if the gift be there, but bitter ill 
To snatch an empty hand. 

The King comes toward them. 

CONRAD 

Fair ladies, hail! 
dementia, may I entreat of you 
Some speech apart? Your cousin is excused. 

[Renee retires. 

Lady, our saints have told us how in prayer 
Voices and visions broke on their rapt sense, 
Bringing celestial counsels: so to me, 
That am no saint indeed, but yet a king, 
Kneeling just now within the sacred walls, 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

107 

A whisper came, *' Delay no moment more; 
Gather the golden rose." 

CLEMENTIA 

Most honoured king, 
You grow a poet, and my simple mind 
Creeps far below your soaring. 

CONRAD 

Once in life 
Love makes each man a poet. Turn your face, 
And let me see the light within your eyes 
Kindle from mine. 

CLEMENTIA 

Pray you release me, sire! 

CONRAD 

Tremble not, dear dementia; your crown 
Shall be no heavier than violets. 
Tell me, you knew from childhood of this hour? 
I set my daisy-wreaths on your frank brow 
Among the clustered curls of eight-years-old. 
You always knew. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

1 08 

CLEMENTIA 

How could I know, my lord? 
You have loved many. 

CONRAD 

I have loved but one. 
I've smiled and toyed with beauties here and there. 

CLEMENTIA 

And let them love you. Ah, choose one of them 
Whose praise will steep the air in honeyed balm. 
I am not fit to be a gracious queen; 
I am too hasty, I love not the court; 
Dreaming I pass among the stately throng, 
And stifle for the woods and liberty. 

CONRAD 

dementia, what fear hath shaken you? 
Some fancy of your own un worthiness, 
That shall not longer last than the bright day 
Which makes you wife and queen? 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

109 

CLEMENTIA 

Say not those words! 
Beseech your pardon: I must speak the truth, 
Though it sound strange and harsh within your ears, 
So all unused to truth. 

CONRAD 

Not so, fair dame; 
I am a king that never suffered lies. 

CLEMENTIA 

Believe me that I cannot be your queen. 

CONRAD 

Your father's rank is less than royalty, 
But I shall raise you unto me by love. 

CLEMENTIA 

Sire, lay aside the falseness of your state. 
And be a man: this instant, first in life. 

CONRAD 

What hath bewildered you? Start not away; 
Fear not; I shall be patient of your whim. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 



no 



CLEMENTIA 

Alas! how shall I speak? To me you stand 
This instant only man, no king at all. 
For when a king, how great soever he be, 
Asks of a woman for the boon you crave, 
He is the suppliant, and she the lord. 

CONRAD 

That strikes no terror to my constant heart. 
I lay the king aside. My year-long love, 
Clementia, shall claim you as a bride. 
Am I not worthy of you as a man? 

CLEMENTIA 

Worthy you may be, but I love you not. 

[Goes swiftly, 

CONRAD 

What did she say? Methinks I have not heard. 
Why hath she fled? A madness came on her. 

LuiGi approaches, 

LUIGI 

What troubles you, my lord? 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 



III 



CONRAD 



Amaze, amaze! 
You shall not credit me. What wonder's here? 
Lady Clementia, whom, the world doth know, 
I purpose for my queen, — and she hath known, 
Hath watched for this, since childhood, — 'tis not 

true! 
She must be ill; or I have much mistook 
The wild and wandering words she spoke to me; 
Then — ere she fled — Luigi, it is not true! 
Why, it is past all reason, past man's thought, 
Past the imagination to conceive — 

LUIGI 

Past mine, until you tell me, dear my lord. 

CONRAD 

I cannot find a word to utter it, 

No syllable to fit, no sense to frame 

The marvel. She might be the Artacian queen, 

And it would seem she hath refused the crown, 

And me — and me. Ah, Luigi, am I mad? 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

112 

Surely you do not smile? My eyes mistook! 

[A pause, 
dementia hath told you otherwise: 
This is a trick, a jest, 'twixt you and her, 
To prove my love. 

LUIGI 

Alas! it is no jest. 

CONRAD 

No jest? And yet no wonder? 

LUIGI 

Not to me. 

CONRAD 

No wonder? Speak! What mean you? There 

again! 
Why do you smile and turn your face aside? 

LUIGI 

Let me depart. I am a wretched soul 

That loves you and will come to punishment 

For that same love, which sees and cannot speak: — 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

"3 

CONRAD 

Speak, I command you! 

LUIGI 

— like a soothsayer 
That reads unwelcome portents in the stars 
And is thenceforward hateful. Sweet my king, 
The day dawns when poor Luigi shall be dear; 
For time, that tries men's faith, shall prove his heart, 
And leave him lonely, smitten, dead perhaps, 
Yet true to you, alone of all men, true. 

CONRAD 

What dost thou hint? Some treason? 

LUIGI 

Where to turn ! 
You'd call me base, self-seeking, jealous even. 
If I should utter truth. Clementia 
Has long forsaken loyalty and faith. 
For sure she was betrothed, by the consent, 
If not of words, of conduct, many years — 
She loves another man. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

114 

CONRAD 

Impossible! 

LUIGI 

I grant you, mad, but not impossible. 

CONRAD 

Show me the man. 

LUIGI 

It is your brother, sire. 

CONRAD 

I'll not believe it! Proof — let me have proof, 
Or it goes ill with thee! 

LUIGI 

See, there it isj 
You hate me now. 

CONRAD 

No, no! But give me proof. 

LUIGI 

Her eyes, that seek for him in every place, 
Her ears, that only barken for his voice. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

115 

Her steps, that turn her unto him, and sway 
Even all her beauteous self from head to heel: — 
All drawn to him, by magic, where he moves. 

CONRAD 

Fancy, all fancy! Tell me something more. 

LUIGI 

You force me then? Jacopo, six months past, 
Walked in this garden, where your brother slept 
After some rollicking, dementia came. 
Stooped over him with eyes, like April heavens, 
Scattering at once swift fire and tender rain; 
She kissed him on the lips, and fled away. 

CONRAD 

Pah! Hath she fallen so low? He shall not live. 

Look, Luigi, look, and am I yet a king ? 

Are there no armies marching at my word; 

No throne, no sceptre yet within my grasp; 

No proud imperial purple, nor no crown? 

Where's that swift-working charm of look and smile, 

The vaunted domination of my glance? 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

ii6 

Am I not worthy of her as a man, 

Mere man, that sighs, and loves, and would be loved? 

Is there no grace of mind nor wit in me? 

LUIGI 

Dear lord, you rave; what frenzy is this talk? 
You know you are the noblest man alive. 

CONRAD 

No, no. I am the poorest clod alive. 

Let me go out and tear my velvet cloak, 

Smear my smooth cheeks with mud, and by my gate 

Beg for some charity. 

LUIGI 

My king — my life — 

CONRAD 

She thinks I take it smoothly, I, her lordj 
She thinks I crouch a spaniel to her lash; 
The girl is wrecked by praise of her fair face. 
She'll beg me yet for kindness. These are tears! 
I had not thought a girl could make me weep. 
I have not wept before, since on that day 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

117 

When Michael died to save my favourite horse, 
And kissed my hand in dying — this poor hand, 
That is not suffered to bestow a crown. 

LUIGI 

The time is ripe for many a hideous birth; 
There is much mischief in these pregnant days. 
I could say more — 

CONRAD 

I pray thee, spare me not; 
Nothing can touch me now with any woe. 

LUIGI 

Not if your throne were threatened? 

CONRAD 

What, my throne? 

LUIGI 

Yes, even so. There is much talk about. 
That Philibert will wrest away your crown. 
He hath a following; you saw to-day. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

ii8 

CONRAD 

The forest viper, warmed against my breast, 
Where is a stone to crush his venomed head? 

LUIGI 

He's like a plague that spreads contagion: 

The people sicken, and the army fails, 

And now this lady, who should be your queen. 

CONRAD 

When I shall amputate the source of ill 

They will recover of infirmity. 

I shall be merciful, even unto her. 

When the bound traitors tremble by my throne 

Some I shall spare; and when she creeps to me, 

I'll raise her then and set her at my side. 

Devise a remedy; let it be swift. 

' LUIGI 

It must be swift. Each moment that he lives 

Is greater peril. (A pause) Let him come to-night 

Unto the Eagle's Eyrie; and I'll send 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

119 

Some fellows of the town, base, wretched things 
Eager to murder for a piece of gold. 

CONRAD 

I will not have a shadow of the blame 
Rest ever on me for my brother's death. 
You must contrive a way. 

LUIGI 

Trust me for that. 
You shall be there in crown and ermine cloak. 
And you may threaten them, and fight for him, 
Unharmed by them: I'll school them to their task. 
Dipping their blades in some insidious brew. 
That, though they slightly wound him, shall destroy 
Even at a touch. 

CONRAD 

Your thoughts are horrible! 
Could we not send him to the woods once more? 

LUIGI 

The world would seek him — and Clement ia. 
There's but one place where such as he are hid. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

1 20 

CONRAD 

And that? 

LUIGI 

The grave, which holds them silently. 

CONRAD 

I do not comprehend the things I say — 
Something has broken somewhere in my brain. 
Tell me, it is not true? All — all — this hour — 
Luigi, come in, for I must rest awhile; 
There is a mist across my eyes — my mind. 
Where is your arm? You love me — do you not? 

[They go. 

NiccoLo Caraccioli appears, walking down a path, 
overtaken by Clementia. 

NICCOLO 

Clementia, why is it you are sad? 

I fear your royal lover, as great kings 

Not seldom are, is careless of his vows. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

121 
CLEMENTIA 

Alas, how shall I grieve you when I say 

That your long-cherished hopes are faded buds 

Which shall not ever bloom! 

NICC0L5 

What dost thou mean? 
Answer me, child. 

CLEMENTIA 

I shall not wed the king. 

NICCOLO 

So, so, he hath disdained thee at the last! 
'Tis like him, too. He is not worth thy tears. 
I shall not weep. 

CLEMENTIA 

Then I will smile again. 

NICC0L6 

Is not the prince the nobler gentleman? 

CLEMENTIA 

I know you are my father, for your heart 
Has read the heart you made. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

122 

NICCOLO 

What's this, my girl? 
I will hear more anon. Your eyes are keen. 
Poor Conrad, he would never be advised. 

[Clementia goes. 

Andrea and the nobles enter and join Niccolo. 

NICCOLO 

Friends, I am yours. Artacia hath won. 

OLD nobleman 
'Tis very commendable of you, sir. 
To cast aside your hopes and join with us. 

\A sound of shouting draws near. Followed by 
a throng of soldiers and citizens, Philibert 
enters, in silver armour, bearing a standard. 

PHILIBERT 

(Dismissing the crowd) What means this fair assem- 
bly? 

NICCOLO 

Honoured prince, 
It means that the great words sung in your praise 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

123 

Are prologue to the greater things to come, 

Deeds: that shall so enlarge those swelling words 

That all Artacia shall that drama hear, 

From distant hills tossed white against the blue, 

Across the furrowed azure of the sea, 

To where Enceladus, in groaning sleep, 

Casts up his fiery breath. 

PHILIBERT 

No praises more. 
Fitly to God we rendered our due thanks, 
But spare thanks to His servant. 

NICCOLO 

Yet hear on. 

PHILIBERT 

I shall obey you, sir, unwillingly. 

FIRST NOBLEMAN 

Then let us swiftly to the core of the thing. 
Conrad hath used us ill, Artacia ill. 
Nay, all humanity is shamed in him, 
And we have chosen you to be our king. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

124 

PHILIBERT 

(To NiccoLo) You, that crovmed Conrad monarch, 
answer him. 

SEVERAL NOBLEMEN 

We tender you allegiance on our knees: 
Long live King Philibert! 

NICCOLO 

Take up your crown: 
The soldiers are your own, the common folk. 
And we, the nobles of Artacia. 

ANDREA 

Great prince, this nation shall rejoice and sing 
Under your rule. 

PHILIBERT 

Andrea! not my friend ? 
You have befouled that name. 

SEVERAL NOBLEMEN 

What answer, prince? 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

PHILIBERT 

That I am no such traitor as yourselves. 
What would you do with Conrad? 

FIRST NOBLEMAN 

He must die. 

PHILIBERT 

O race of wolves, it is impossible 

That ye could think I'd steal away the throne 

From the anointed king, and mount that throne 

My hands yet reeking with my brother's blood — 

My brother's, whom God gave into my breast 

To cherish and to honour while I live? 

Sure, some strange frenzy doth possess your souls! 

{To NiccoLo) And you, sir, you, set in his father's 

place, 
Bound now by closer ties — Shame on you all!. 

SECOND NOBLEMAN 

Nay, now, Prince Philibert, you do us wrong. 
You're very young, you cannot see the whole. 
The king is wasteful, cowardly, and false; 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

126 

He doth neglect his duties, spends his days 
In revelHngs and foUies. 

PHILIBERT 

Yet you say 
That I am young: he is as young as I. 
What man of you hath told him of his faults 
And asked him to amend? Who was his guide? 
You, Niccolo, that blame him. Go to him. 
Show him severely, then, the wrong he does: 
He hath to-day that wit you praised him for 
But yesterday, my lords — that agile brain, 
That marvellous mind, those noble, courtly ways, 
I've heard you sing to surfeit, yet with truth. 
And as for me, you'll have my services 
Or in the council or the tented field; 
Always my life is for Artacia, 
And I wiU toil, close at my brother's side. 

NICCOLO 

We must disperse, my lords. 

PHILIBERT 

I'd thank you, sirs, 
For the great honour done me, if my mind 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

• 127 

Could turn from horror at the means you chose. 
I conjure you in my dead father's name, — 
Some were his friends, and all of you his heirs, — 
That ye forsake not now Artacia, 
Which he hath given you. This was his dread — 
A civil strife; for that he banished me. 

OLD NOBLEMAN 

That old fanatic hermit in the woods 

Hath spoiled a man in thee. This is his work. 

I knew him well of old, and flouted him. 

He could not live on earth — no more can you. 

PHILIBERT 

Rescue the king! Thus shall Artacia 

From this hard shell, that seemed a marring stone, 

Draw forth a seed of good. Andrea, come. 

[All go out but Andrea and Philibert. 
A vaster world is hidden in this our world. 
How should it be if these concealed thoughts, 
Now hived within us, came to sudden sight, 
Peopling the vacant air — the ministers 
And masters of our fate, hemming us round? 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

128 

Then should a company of two or four 

Be swollen to a stirring multitude, 

As in those tiny rooms set round with glass, 

Where the strange postures of the thing we see 

Come vaguely home to us, bespeak our selves; 

What starts of horror, quaking wonderment, 

When there, beside the friend whose arm we held, 

Grimaced the apish slander of his brain; 

While near the brow of silent honesty 

A laureate angel sang harmonious ! 

And how should shamefast love rejoice to see 

Delicate beauties speeding from his heart 

To shower the adored with raining flowers! 

I thrust aside necessity with words. 

Yet I must speak. Sir, you have been my choice; 

To me the stateliest tree, the strongest tower, 

My bulwark and my dwelling: I'm bereft; 

This wind of treason fells you, leaves me chill. 

ANDREA " 

You are mistaken when you gird at me. 
It would advantage us to slay the king; 
There's not another remedy can serve. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

' 129 

PHILIBERT 

You do insult my ears; you know him not. 

ANDREA 

Alas! too well. 

PHILIBERT 

Stand off and hear my words, 
For though they sear the lips that utter them, 
Yet shall I speak. Thy deed doth merit death. 
Think not 'twas kind to me: I say 'twas base; 
Evil to me and treason to the state. 
Can he be friend at all, whose loyalty 
Hath suffered such a stain, or faithful here 
When there he hath been false, or honoured here 
When there dishonoured? 

ANDREA 

Then, sir, let me die, 
If I have lost your friendship; let me die. 

PHILIBERT 

You have not said to me: Thrice on the field 
I fenced your life with mine, took home the wotmd 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

130 

That sought for you, cast myself in the breach 
Of imminent danger, shared my food with you, 
Slept with your head low-pillowed on my breast^ 
And stirred, to shield your body from the storm, 

ANDREA 

Why, now that you are cruel, I must go; 
I cannot suffer this. Your brother's axe 
To this, is merciful. 

PHILIBERT 

Andrea, stay. 

ANDREA 

You said, not honoured here, and false of heart. 

PHILIBERT 

No, no, not false of heart, 

ANDREA 

I think you did. 

PHILIBERT 

You have repented you of this day's work? 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

131 

ANDREA 

No, not a whit, my lord, nor ever shall. 

PHILIBERT 

How can I have a traitor for my friend? 

ANDREA 

You cannot, sir, and I must part from you. 

[He goes away: Philibert sinks upon 
the bench and stares at the ground. 

Jacopo comes in. 

JACOPO 

Prince Philibert! My lord! 

philibert 

What did you say? 

JACOPO 

Prince Paradox! Your day of victory 
Gives you a face to fit a day of loss. 

philibert 
It is, it is, loss irretrievable! 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

132 

JACOPO 

Lady Renee hath sent me for you, sir. 

PHILIBERT 

Where shall I find her? 

JACOPO 

Here, an you will wait. 
If you have kindness, give it unto her. 
Why should the wind of sorrow rend a rose, 
And spare this withered brier? Here's something 

wrong, 
That destiny should shatter loveliness. 
And leave the crooked sticks to clog our ways. 

PHILIBERT 

Poor Jacopo! You love this lady? 

JACOPO 

Yes; 
Her only upon earth: I hate the rest. 

[Jacopo retires. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

133 
Renee comes in, 

PHILIBERT 

Madam, you sent for me. 

RENEE 

Alas the day! 
Once thou didst come unsummoned; let it pass: 
Now I am here, I know not what to do. 

PHILIBERT 

Tell me if I may serve you. 

RENEE 

That's the thing, 
Serve me. My father pleaded with me once 
To come to him: you can point out the way; 
I'll warm my cold even at an ash-strewn fire, 

PHILIBERT 

His heart is young with love, and will be so 
Till death shall take him to the realms of love. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

134 

RENEE 

I know I am not good enough for him, 
Yet must I go, for no one in this place 
Cares if I go. Your brother will rejoice. 

PHILIBERT 

Nay, wherefore do you weep? 

RENEE 

Prince Philibert, 
Why is it shame to give a love unsought? 
Is it not noble to give anything 
Freely, without the hope of a return? 
Why then a shame to give the greatest gift? 

PHILIBERT 

If this be shame, then am I shameful too! 

RENEE 

What? 

PHILIBERT 

Ah, my tongue has run beyond my will 
Through sympathy. Pray you, forget my words. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

135 

RENEE 

You love Clementia? You do not speak. 

PHILIBERT 

Why is the colour flashing to your face? 

RENEE 

My life returns; I cannot kill my hope; 
As a child's hands chng to a wished-for toy 
And, loosed an hundred times, fly swiftly back 
To clutch it to its breast, so my desire 
Catches again at hope. You have mistook; 
You do not share with me that splendid shame. 

PHILIBERT 

I understand you not. 

RENEE 

Here, on this bench, 
One day, you fell asleep. We did return, 
Clementia and I, and she bent down 
Smiling, and kissed you, with a face all love. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

136 

Tears fell along her lashes, and her lips 
Trembled against your cheek. 

PHILIBERT 

It cannot be! 
Why have you said this thing that is not true? 

RENEE 

Question herself: she will not flinch at it, 
Or I mistake her heart. 

PHILIBERT 

My brother's bride! 
Love from his dungeon in my careful breast 
Hath cried to her in language of his own, 
Unheard by any ear less fine than love's. 
It cannot be she loves as I love her, 
That were too terrible! She liked my song, 
I called her Cynthia, she saw me sleep, 
A boy to her, in my dull ignorance, 
Whom for a jest she called Endymion. 
She did not love me. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

137 

RENEE 

Ask herself of that. 

PHILIBERT 

That shall I not, but hasten to my tents. 
I'd let my life-blood run before Fd be 
Barrier unto my brother's happiness. 

RENEE 

You shall not go and leave her here to die; 
For die she will, she does not love the king. 
Stare not so hard, nor press against my wrist; 
I tell you truth, she does not love the king. 
But he will wed her now, against her will. 

PHILIBERT 

If there were but a single path of right. 

And all ways else iniquitous, how swift 

We'd tread it, though through thorns of agony: 

But life is like a vast, untravelled wood. 

Seeming to open into sun-flecked roads, 

That close in tangled gloom. What shall I do? 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

138 



RENEE 



Draw hastily your sword, and cut your way 
Through the dense thicket to your lady's bower, 
And bear her forth with you. Love justifies; 
Who sins against him, sins the only sin 
Nor men nor gods can pardon. 

PHILIBERT 

Give my soul, 
Fettered, into the keeping of my heart ? 
There's more in us than feeling. I must think. 

[Renee runs out, returning at once 
with Clementia, then goes. 



Prince Philibert. 



clementia 

philibert 
I pray you, pardon me. 

CLEMENTIA 



Do not depart. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

139 

PHILIBERT 

Madam, if we must speak, 
Go to some lighted room, where we can set 
The glare between our souls. 

CLEMENTIA 

No; truth is here. 
The night and the wide silence call for truth. 

PHILIBERT 

Lady, you know each atom of this frame 
Cries out to come to you. 

CLEMENTIA 

You tremble, sir. 
Last night when every minstrel sang of me 
You would not sing nor praise me, yet I saw 
Your kindling eye and knew you had a thougiit. 
To what would you compare me? Tell me now. 

PHILIBERT 

You are like music heard at evenfall, 

When the slow moon floats up the silvered sky; 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

140 

Music that breathes above the shadowed earth 
To voice immortal hopes, and stainless loves, 
That lift us to undying destinies. 

[A sound of distant singing draws nearer. Cle- 
MENTiA approaches him; their hands touch. 
Who sing without? 

CLEMENTIA 

The peasants coming down 
From Mary's shrine. They sing the favourite song 
Of this year's festa, called Lost Happiness. 

[She echoes the song softly. 
The rosy clouds fade in the twilight cold, 

Shadows come stealthily, 
Silvery melting mists my vision fold, 
Till, drawn of dreams, that face I do behold 

Mine eyes shall never see. 
While in the evening breeze the branches movCy 

Whispering like the rain, 
My lonely, listless feet pause as they rove. 
Harkening, I cheat me with the voice of love 
That shall not speak again. 

[She pauses and draws away her hand. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

141 

Help me! A fear has come upon my soul; 

A terror overpowering like the wind 

That beats me breathless. You are strong and wise; 

A man, and mighty. What is this I fear? 

A mastery has fallen upon us both: 

We seek each other out in every crowd, 

Not moving, but with eyes; or, not with eyes, 

But by some stirring in the pulse of hfe. 

Why is this so? It has come suddenly. 

A little while ago I was not bound; 

I could think freely and not think of you. 

My voice cries out alone. You bow your head 

And do not answer. Do you know this thing? 

PHILIBERT 

I know I love you. 

CLEMENTIA 

Are you very sure? 

PHILIBERT 

I am so far unworthy of your love — 

CLEMENTIA 

Oh, are you sure you love me? 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

142 

PHILIBERT 

Very sure. 
But can I bless your life and make you glad? 
Can you be happy with the man I am? 

CLEMENTIA 

You are my world. Bow down your precious head; 
How I have yearned to hold it thus, your hair 
Against my cheek, and your great gentle hand 
Here on my shoulder! Let me kiss your hand. 

PHILIBERT 

Did I not love you long before I knew? 

CLEMENTIA 

The night draws near, and closes on our love 
In benediction, takes us to the heart 
Of all-enfolding nature. Philibert — 

PHILIBERT 

My heart is over-full, 

CLEMENTIA 

You move away. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

143 

PHILIBERT 

Only to take you thus against my breast 
And feel within my arms the whole of you. 

CLEMENTIA 

Your tears fall on my face like heavy rain. 

PHILIBERT 

I cannot speak: my life is turned to praise; 
It mounts like silent flame that leaps to God 
And praises Him in light. 

CLEMENTIA 

Come home to earth, 
An instant home, while I shall speak to you. 
This happiness must be a secret thing 
Until you join your armies in the East; 
Then I will flee to you, and wed you there, 
Far from the menace of your brother's wrath. 

PHILIBERT 

My brother, my dear brother, what a wound 
Have I now given thee! I'll go to him, 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

144 

Kneel at his feet, and tell him all this thing. 
Alas, I fear he loves you! Conrad, Conrad, 
I had not meant to harm you! What avail 
Are useless words when I have done this thing? 
At least he shall know straightway all the truth, 
And in his love he'll wish my happiness, 
And give me even the woman that he loves, 
When he has heard she loves me. 

CLEMENTIA 

This is madness. 
'Twill be our death, our ruin: do not speak. 
You do not know; Fve seen him all my life. 
I know him best, surely I know him best! 

PHILIBERT 

Who understands you deeplier, he or I? 
The king who dwelt beside you all his life, 
Or I who came so lately? Let me go. 

CLEMENTIA 

Stay, Philibert; you rush upon your death, 
And waste our happiness. You love me not 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

145 

If you oppose me here. Be ruled by me, 
And save us both: you shall fly silently, 
And I will join you. We'll be happy there 
Together, oh, together! Would you see 
Me wedded to the king? 

PHILIBERT 

That shall not be. 
Love plays the tyrant over your slight strength. 
Go in and rest. 

CLEMENTIA 

You'll yield? 

PHILIBERT 

No, dearest, no. 

CLEMENTIA 

God give me courage to endure my life 
Which you have blessed — and broken. 

PHILIBERT 

Clementia, 
I would not have less worthy by a hair 
This man your love makes precious to himself. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

146 

CLEMENTIA 

Oh, had you yielded I had loved you less; 
You would be less yourself, the self I love. 
Go then, and bear my heart along with you. 

[He goes. 

SCENE II 

The Eaglets Eyrie at night; Conrad and LuiGi. 

LUIGI 

A woman's light affection, dear my lord, 
FHts, like the moth poising on careless wing, 
Now here, now there, impelled by every breeze; 
Doubt not, when once this Philibert is gone, 
Clementia will turn to you again. 

CONRAD 

Ah, gone, but where? Where shalt thou go, poor 

fool? 
Into the silent shadow, where our dreams 
Only can follow. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

147 

LUIGI 

Would you have him stay- 
To cheat you of your kingdom, of your crown, 
Of all men's praise, and of dementia's love? 
This cuckoo that you lifted to the nest, 
Who shoves us all to earth — 

CONRAD 

It is enough. 
Luigi, go hastily, despatch your men, 
And sound the bell. I'll bid him wait a space, 
On some pretext, until I shall return; 
And I will join you in the hall below 
Where others are, and bring you back with me; 
And we will have our swords out, ere they come 
In answer to our shouts. 

LUIGI 

You'll not remain? 
'Twere better so, I think. You are quite safe; 
I've told them how you wear your robe and crown: 
They will not touch you. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

148 

CONRAD 

No, I will not stay. 
I will not watch and see my brother slain. 

LUIGI 

Sire, as you please. 

A servant enters, 

SERVANT 

Prince Philibert is here, 
And humbly craves an audience. 

CONRAD 

Let him come. 

LUIGI 

How pat this falls upon the very heels 

Of our discourse! Now, we've not sent for him. 

[He goes. 

Philibert enters, 

CONRAD 

What do you wish? 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

149 

PHILIBERT 

I want to be with you: 
Alone with you, to rout these phantasies 
That other men have conjured into Hfe 
And called their king. Conrad, I know you best, 
Better than all these courtiers and these lords, 
Do I not, brother? Your kind gracious self, 
To whom I turn as wanderers turn home. 
Secure of welcome, shelter, and good cheer; — 
Heart of my brother, say I know you best! 

CONRAD 

To answer that, I first must know myself, 
And that I do not. You are ill at ease, 
There is some secret tugging at your lips. 

PHILIBERT 

Your love's a magnet to draw forth my thoughts. 
Best to be brief if I can find the words. 
Conrad, there's a conspiracy afoot 
To set me on the throne and cast you down: 
They told me of it scarce three hours ago. 
This was the very thing our father feared, — 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

I seemed to walk within a life once lived 

While they did speak; I followed on his thought. 

CONRAD 

What did you say? 

PHILIBERT 

m tell you what I can; 
I have forgot my words. I spoke in wrath; 
Small wonder, was it? Why, I told them all 
I was not such a traitor as they thought. 
Dear Conrad, they have grievances enough, 
And just ones, too. You have not governed well, 
You know that, brother; but it's not my place 
To tell you so; these elder men will speak. 
I said that you were young and would have been 
Advised had they spoke sooner, as they ought.. 
I told them, what they knew as well as I, 
How admirable and how great you were. 

CONRAD 

How can I know you would not buy your life, 
Escaping from a faihng, hopeless cause 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

151 

By means of this betrayal of the rest? 
There is no man, I think, but would be king 
If it were possible. You do not speak. 
Reply! 

PHILIBERT 

My ears have done an unkind act 
That they should hear my brother speak this word. 

CONRAD 

I did but test you. I am satisfied. 

I knew this plot; it could not reach success. 

'Tis but a few; we are well rid of them. 

PHILIBERT 

Conrad, be not deceived by such a hope. 
I see I cannot spare you any jot. 
Know, then, the army doth revolt to me, 
The people of this town, and, at the court, 
All that are stable, wise, or eminent. 
Even your chancellor. You must comply. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

152 

CONRAD 

How can I go abroad thus stripped and stark? 

PHILIBERT 

Go forth, and prove how ignorant they were 
Of your true greatness; strike them to your feet 
In admiration of your clemency, 
Your wisdom, and your valour. Make them know 
How great a king they should have lost in you. 
You shall be phoenix rising through these flames 
New-born in majesty. All shall be well. 

CONRAD 

I cannot think to-night. 

PHILIBERT 

Sleep deep to-night, 
Dear Conrad, and to-morrow we shall talk; 
With the fresh day we shall have happy thoughts. 
And this remember, as you lie at rest: 
Your brother loves you better than his life, 
And hand in hand we shall win easily; 
You shall be brain, and I will be your arm, 
To fight your battles. Do you know, even now 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

153 

My heart draws nearer to you than before, 

And that's their gift who plotted. Come, sit here, 

And let me kneel beside you, tell you first 

How, far away, I loved you, how that day 

The word. You have a brother, came like dawn 

To show a world that sparkled into life. 

I prayed that you might always smile on me, 

That I might be a blessing round your ways. 

To compass you with service. And to-night 

I've come to give you pain. You brought me here, 

Defying the known peril, gave me place 

Beside you, set my arms about your neck: 

You might have left me there to pine through life. 

And now, against my will — what shall I say? 

Conrad, I love dementia. There's the whole. 

Here, take my sword and drive it through my heart. 

Unless you can forgive me, for no word 

That tongue hath found can utter what I feel. 

I had not thought she loved me till this hour. 

I meant to join my soldiers, go away 

Till I could conquer what was in my breast, 

But then, to-night — we spoke — I scarce know how. 

I left her, and I came to tell you. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

154 

CONRAD 

So! 
You might have run with her, and sought your men, — 
These soldiers are your slaves, — and fled with her; 
Why did you not? 

PHILIBERT 

If you can ask me why, 
Strike home against my bosom. 

CONRAD 

Keep your sword: 
Almost I think you wish to die. 

PHILIBERT 

Not now; 
Clement ia loves me. 

CONRAD 

Fool, to speak her name! 
Go on; you've more to say. 

PHILIBERT 

No more to say. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

155 

CONRAD 

You love her. Do not say, then, you love me. 

PHILIBERT 

Never so much, since love enkindles love! 
Come, prove my heart, and tell me what to bear 
Or what to venture, for I cannot talk; 
I see you suffer, and my words are gone. 

CONRAD 

I love Clemen tia; I have not known, 

Till now, how much I loved her. It is strange, 

Yet not so strange as that I do love you. 

Yet so I do, and know not why I do. 

You've taken everything, all that I have. 

I have thought clearly all my life till now, 

And seen my way, and taken what I would. 

And never was perplexed. (A bell sounds above them) 

■ Hark! There's the bell. 
This world has ruined me: I was not born 
So poor a thing as men have made of me. 
I dreamed the potent alchemy of love 
Might gild my baser metal. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

156 

PHILIBERT 

Can my prayers 
Avail to help thee in this strait, my king? 

CONRAD 

I cannot tell; I travel unknown ways. 

Have I been blind before and now do see? 

Or are those visionary lights you bear, 

Those things that guide you, Philibert? No, no; 

I look into your eyes and understand: 

I have not ever found so true a heart. 

Stay, take this robe about you — 'tis a whim, 

I want to see you thus. Here rests the crown. 

[He 'sets the crown on the head of Philibert. 
It doth become you well. 

PHILIBERT 

I like this not. 
\He puts up his hand to remove the 
crown, hut Conrad stays him. 
Your hand is cold. Dear brother, take your crown. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

157 

CONRAD 

You must descend at once, and show yourself 
In the great hall. The chancellor is there : 
This is my answer to conspiracy. 

PHILIBERT 

I do not like your whim. 

CONRAD 

Yet do my will. 

PHILIBERT 

I cannot leave you; you are very pale. 

CONRAD 

Go, boy. Why, what obedience is this? 

PHILIBERT 

Will you retire? Shall I send some one here? 
Where shall I put these robes of yours? 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

158 

CONRAD 

O heaven, 
You do torment me! Do as you are bid. 
Is there no one that will obey me now? 
You halt about my wishes and my whims, 
And do not do the one thing I command. 
Away, and send the army if you will, 
Or hell and all its devils. Go — go — go!. 
Ah, Philibert, you are not kind to me, 
Not even kind, to stay. 

PHILIBERT 

How can I go 
And leave you thus? 

CONRAD 

I have a wager on; 
If you delay I lose my choicest horse. 
On your allegiance, hasten. 

PHILIBERT 

Conrad, no! 
I cannot leave you lonely in this tower; 
The more, that you are shaken and look ill. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

159 

CONRAD 

Give me some wine. (He drinks) See, now, the fit 

has passed. 
I've wagered that you can deceive the guard 
By Ukeness unto me. Assume my voice: 
'Tis all a jest. 

PHILIBERT 

Your eyes are full of tears; 
You are not used to weep. 

CONRAD 

I'll say, for her! 
Yield for dementia's sake: if you do stay, 
I swear, by the great love I bear to her, 
You will not see her more. 

PHILIBERT 

I shall not go: 
There's something hidden; I will know the truth. 
Brother, life bound us close before we knew. 
Oh, by that union that hath held us here. 
That love, I conjure you to answer me! 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

i6o 
CONRAD 

You asked a test of love: obey me now, 
Or look not on my face while you shall live. 

PHILIBERT 

Then, most reluctantly, I shall go down. [He goes. 

CONRAD 

He hath not left me more of space on earth 
Than answers for a grave. Yet 'tis enough! 
And Luigi, too, is false; he comes not back. 

The murderers rush in. 

Here is the verge of life. I'll drive this wretch 
Along before to clear my path to hell! 

\They fight; he kills one, hut is 
overpowered and wounded. 

Luigi enters. 

LUIGI 

What horror's here! Villains, you slay the king! 

\He drives them out. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

i6i 

CONRAD 

I did you wrong, poor Luigi; are you hit? 

LUIGI 

No time to tell what went amiss. Your hand! 
Quickly, your hand! Here's mercy: I shall die. 

[He raises the king's hand to his lips and dies. 

Philibert enters, followed by Renee, Clementia, 
Andrea, and several nobles. 

RENEE 

{Taking the King in her arms) Quick, quick, a sur- 
geon! He will bleed to death. 

CONRAD 

Here's one that loved me, too. 

PHILIBERT 

O brother, brother! 

CONRAD 

Weep not so sore, — 'tis altogether best, — 
Nor seek to know the way that this befell. 



The Coming of Philibert Act III 

162 

An evil, scorpion-like, turned on itself, 
And died of its own sting, and rid the world. 
Ill things have feeble voices, and soon die, 
Perishing into great, engulfing peace. 
And night and sweet oblivion cover them. 
If any memory of my lost life 
Shall linger with you, dwell upon this hour, 
And be the rest forgot. I love you now. 

PHILIBERT 

Conrad, live! You are the worthier king. 

1 am unlearned in governing, unskilled. 
Rude and untimely death, forbear thy stroke! 
The sea floods over us: Artacia's lost! 

CONRAD 

Give him your hand, dementia. That is well. 

[Dies. 

[All kneel, Philibert stands gazing upon 
him. Andrea, rising, approaches 
Philibert, kneels, and kisses his hand. 



Act III The Coming of Philibert 

163 

ALL 



God guard the king! 



PHILIBERT 

And guard Artacia! 



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